What training does a DME Consultant have to have

[StillAnotherGuest]

Actually, SAG has been trying his best to lay low, but "somebody" keeps bringing those "letters" up!!

"IMHO", its not the letters anyway. Letters are not required to say something intelligent nor a guarantee that what will be said won't be stupid.

SAG

[-SWS]

Sleep??

Not sleep.

At the risk of "generalizing", "stereotyping", etc., slinky suggested it in her example. The appeal of the high-risk, high rewards of the ICU, CCU, NICU and big-city EDs usually takes the pick of the litter. Sleep can't match the "flash", everybody wants to do "Code Blue".

Also, a huge obstacle in sleep is that it's a night shift, and unfortunately, that takes a lot of candidates off the list.

SAG

Reading those sleep technologists message boards, I get the impression many are intelligent people who are drawn toward sleep as a complex and largely unsolved medical sub-field. I kind of get the impression there are more introspective "problem solvers" among that crowd than adrenaline seekers---not that these two somewhat unique personality characteristics are mutually exclusive.

Anyway, to newcomers: StillAnotherGuest has always gone out of his way to avoid attracting business-related traffic to the sleep center he manages. He has always been a cream-of-the crop patient advocate on our message boards.

[builta]

Sleep??

Not sleep.

At the risk of "generalizing", "stereotyping", etc., slinky suggested it in her example. The appeal of the high-risk, high rewards of the ICU, CCU, NICU and big-city EDs usually takes the pick of the litter. Sleep can't match the "flash", everybody wants to do "Code Blue".

Also, a huge obstacle in sleep is that it's a night shift, and unfortunately, that takes a lot of candidates off the list.

SAG

Reading those sleep technologists message boards, I get the impression many are intelligent people who are drawn toward sleep as a complex and largely unsolved medical sub-field. I kind of get the impression there are more introspective "problem solvers" among that crowd than adrenaline seekers---not that these two unique personality traits are mutually exclusive.

Anyway, to newcomers: StillAnotherGuest has always gone out of his way to avoid attracting attention or business-related traffic to the sleep center that he manages. He has always been a cream-of-the crop patient advocate on our message boards.

Hi, Sorry, didn't mean to cause any offense. It was just a general comment about transparency. It was not ment as a directed comment about SAG. I was, I guess poorly, attempting to point out that transparency is usually a good thing and removes the "appearance" of a hidden agenda. There was nothing in SAG's postings to suggest a hidden agenda. Again SAG ans SWS--nothing directed at either of you in any way.

[Wulfman]

Actually, SAG has been trying his best to lay low, but "somebody" keeps bringing those "letters" up!!

"IMHO", its not the letters anyway. Letters are not required to say something intelligent nor a guarantee that what will be said won't be stupid.

SAG

ABSOLUTELY!!!


Den (who has had too many recent experiences with stupid people with "letters")

[GumbyCT]

SAG has been around this forum for so long I'm sure it hasn't occurred to him to mention his "credentials". He's a "fixture" in this forum. A very valuable "fixture".
(*Don't let it go to your head, Sag!!!)

Gumby is thinking - too late

Letters are not required to say something intelligent nor a guarantee that what will be said won't be stupid.

Gumby couldn't agree more. Gumby also agrees that working after sundown is a huge barrier.

And now for the requirements to answer the DME's phone? A rapid pulse? with an attitude pays more!!

Even my Medical Evacuation Unit, recognizing the terminology and acronyms to be bit different, had different requirements for Admin staff. They gave it a different job code.

Gumby thinks sleep needs to wake-up.
Gumby out!

[-SWS]

Again SAG ans SWS--nothing directed at either of you in any way.

Oh, I took absolutely no offense in any of what you said, builta. I felt you expressed a very valid point. However, I also agree with the point raised that ideas/concepts are most central in our discussions on this message board. Credentials or letters are very hard to prove or disprove here. Information and ideas, on the other hand, are much easier to validate or invalidate.

Also, to clarify for newcomers: I have absolutely no training or involvement in sleep or CPAP other than being a fellow hosehead. I think there's a general caveat that "ancient and verbose hoseheads" can sometimes mistakenly be perceived as if they might be professionals. I am most definitely not a professional in any of the disciplines related to sleep or health to be very clear.

But I firmly believe all aspects of the interrelated sleep and CPAP-therapy topics should be thoroughly picked apart and discussed on this message board---toward our common goal of learning and improving both sleep and health.

[builta]

Again SAG ans SWS--nothing directed at either of you in any way.

Oh, I took absolutely no offense in any of what you said, builta. I felt you expressed a very valid point. However, I also agree with the point raised that ideas/concepts are most central in our discussions on this message board. Credentials or letters are very hard to prove or disprove here. Information and ideas, on the other hand, are much easier to validate or invalidate.

Also, to clarify for newcomers: I have absolutely no training or involvement in sleep or CPAP other than being a fellow hosehead. I think there's a general caveat that "ancient and verbose hoseheads" can sometimes mistakenly be perceived as if they might be professionals. I am most definitely not a professional in any of the disciplines related to sleep or health to be very clear.

But I firmly believe all aspects of the interrelated sleep and CPAP-therapy topics should be thoroughly picked apart and discussed on this message board---toward our common goal of learning and improving both sleep and health.

I agree.

[OldLincoln]

As a cousin of a retired (hospital) Respiratory Therapist, I understand the training involved to get the ticket and her ongoing training to maintain proficiency.

As a former customer of a certain DME who is managed by an RT who brags about her 20 years in the business, it is obvious that some RT's who turn to the DME profession get into a rut and simply hand out the machines. Rather than maintain currency on equipment this one chose to make up stuff to fit her desire to put me in the machine of her choice. They appear to be 80% business person and 20% RT. Unfortunately I have read her profile into a lot of DME experiences on this forum.

Having said that, I am old enough to have seen the same thing happen to a few medical doctors. They have a set of diagnosis (and corresponding treatments) into which they fit symptoms for 90% of their patients. I think that may be why people say their doctors don't listen to them.

I also understand the doctor side as my doctor once told me he has 3000 current patients. That is why he is not responsive to phone requests from pharmacies to change Rx's. BTW: Understanding his situation is why I hand him copies of the last Rx needing a new script. He has his aid write them and just signs them. I also tell him why I'm there and what I'm wanting out of the visit. We get along very well.