Ridiculous quotes and deeds by doctors and DMEs

[Laurie1041]

Me: Pardon me, but I specifically told you that I want the S9 Autoset. That machine is a CPAP and
is not fully data capable!
DME: This machine is a fully data capable machine. (She pulls out the smart card and
rolls her eyes).
Do you see this little card? (a 20 something year old talking to me like I am a child).
This little card collects all the information your doctor wants.
Me: Exactly what information does this "little card" collect?
DME: Well, it tells your doctor if you are using your machine. But don't worry he
never looks at it.
Me: That is not a fully data capable machine and is not the machine that you and I discussed.
DME: It's the machine your doctor ordered. I am sorry but this is the machine you will be receiving!
Me: Really? Tell you what, how 'bout if I go next door to Dr. Whateveruwant and have
him write the script for exactly what I want?
DME: Hmmm. Let me think how we can "resolve" this. OK, I'll order the S9 Autoset, but don't think your
doctor is going to download the data (hehe I think). This will cost you $300.00 to "upgrade".
Me: OK you do that and I'll call my insurance company and let them know you are practicing
"balance billing".
DME: (Eyes get wide) Well, don't worry about the $300.00 upgrade fee, I am sure our billing department will handle
this with your insurance company. I'll call you just as soon as your machine arrives!

[SnoozyQ]

Maybe not funny...but ironic. My RT showed up to my house, finished her cigarette in my driveway and smelled like smoke while she chatted about respiratory health.

She explains to me that I need to use "this headgear".....that she didn't have with her. But it uses these clips.....that she also didn't have with her. But anyway, here's your mask....no, that's not the right one. Good thing my sleep lab let me keep my masks.....

When I asked for a smaller sized mask, they quickly shipped a larger one, that I've had for weeks, bc no one will put in the call tag to come get it. But they do manage to bill me every single day for something I have tried to return.
I called and left a voicemail about the call tag, when she called backshe said it was cancelled due to incorrect phone number. Didn't you just CALL ME???? So she reissued the call tag.

It's still on the kitchen table.....

[tonycog]

me: OK.... here's how this is gonna work..... When I DIE because you failed to provide me with MEDICALLY NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AS PRESCRIBED BY MY DOCTOR in a timely manner, my wife is gonna own a VERY large chunk of Apria..... then she's gonna be YOUR boss, and she's a B#$%^H to work for.......

That reply was awesome! Thanks. You made me start out my day by laughing out loud.

Tony

[Roman Hokie]

OMG, best thread EVAH.

I have, sadly, no stories. Well, maybe one.

So, the last time I went to my sleep doctor (after being on therapy 2 months and the RT checking my compliance and data), the nurse tells me, "Looks like you've been 100% compliant."

Me: Yep
Nurse: Really?
Me: Yep
Nurse: Huh.
Me: does the data usually lie?
Nurse: Nope.

Later...
Doc: 100% compliant?
Me: Yep
Doc: Really?
Me: Yep
Doc: Hmmm...
Me: Is there some reason people on CPAP might not want to take advantage of life-saving technology?
Doc: Good question

Still later...
Receptionist: Wow, you never missed a night, did you?
Me: Nope
Rec: Really?
Me: Yep
Rec: Why not?
Me: Am I supposed to use it or not?
Rec: Oh, yeah, you ARE, just a lot of people give up in the first 3 months
Me: Why would someone do that?
Rec: Oh, they get clausterphobic or hate the mask or whatever
Me: If they think they're clausterphobic now with a mask on in an open room, wait till they're in a casket.
:crickets chirping:
Rec: Well, then. Have a nice day!

[BlackSpinner]

Rec: Oh, yeah, you ARE, just a lot of people give up in the first 3 months
Me: Why would someone do that?
Rec: Oh, they get clausterphobic or hate the mask or whatever
Me: If they think they're clausterphobic now with a mask on in an open room, wait till they're in a casket.
:crickets chirping:
Rec: Well, then. Have a nice day!

Getting my stuffing back I am of the point to ask "So what are you people doing about that? What help are you providing people so they can stay out of the casket?"
Gee just had a thought - in sue happy USA - I wonder if some spouse couldn't sue for lack of training or support for cpap patients? Class action suits against DME's for inadequate training?

[msla]

The RT that delivered my first CPAP came into the house wearing so much perfume, it took several days to air out the house. I think that she had the perfume shipped to her house in a railroad tanker car for the bulk discount. A little scent may be alluring but too much triggers many adverse reactions; I get headaches you would not believe. The same goes for the whole house smelly products designed to be plugged in. Do not get me started on Pine-sol.

Rolf

[Laurie1041]

The RT that delivered my first CPAP came into the house wearing so much perfume, it took several days to air out the house. I think that she had the perfume shipped to her house in a railroad tanker car for the bulk discount. A little scent may be alluring but too much triggers many adverse reactions; I get headaches you would not believe. The same goes for the whole house smelly products designed to be plugged in. Do not get me started on Pine-sol.

Rolf

Oldest trick in the book used by female smokers. . . douse oneself in perfume after having a smoke.

Speaking of smoking - When I was working in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit the ONLY smokers that I saw on a regular basis huddled together like penguins in the hospital's only designated "smoking area" were the staff RT's. I found it very ironic when the RT would come back after a "break" and manage the settings on my patient's vent or give "breathing treatments" to my patients who were literally suffocating due to severe COPD. Laurie

[Roman Hokie]

I would think that RTs should not be permitted perfumes/colognes - especially if visiting homes of patients. We have breathing issues. Duh.

Blackspinner, someone did use CPAP negligence in a lawsuit. I think it was to seek a mistrial because a lawyer who was supposed to be using CPAP didn't - or something like that.

[roster]

a lawyer who was supposed to be using CPAP didn't - or something like that.

Why are lawyers non-compliant?

They can't pry up the pillow that former clients are holding on their faces.

[rested gal]

I would think that RTs should not be permitted perfumes/colognes - especially if visiting homes of patients. We have breathing issues. Duh.

Absolutely. Wearing scents should be a no-no for any medical "professionals" - in any setting - but especially when visiting the patient's home.

Blackspinner, someone did use CPAP negligence in a lawsuit. I think it was to seek a mistrial because a lawyer who was supposed to be using CPAP didn't - or something like that.

It may be this one you're thinking of?

Judge allows Herb Moncier contempt defense of sleep deprivation
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jun/2 ... red-judgm/

Defense focuses on sleep apnea in Moncier's trial
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jun/2 ... ers-trial/

ADVANCE Perspective: Sleep
Not Guilty By Reason Of Broken CPAP Machine?
http://community.advanceweb.com/blogs/z ... chine.aspx

[Roman Hokie]

That would be the trial, RG.

Rested Gal, Queen of the Search in the Kingdom of CPAPTALK.com.

[Laurie1041]

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

DME's enail response to my question as to how I can lower my Leak values which are steadily climbing. I questioned the size of the nasal pillows, headgear adjustments, and whether the Leak could be originating from my mouth. Since I am a former PAP drop-out, I'll let you decide whether or not the following response is acceptable:

"I would try and play with the sizes (nasal pillows) to see which seals better. There is a small possibility that it may be coming from your mouth falling open very little, but I don’t think it’s big enough to worry about. It’s normal for masks to leak though, every mask does. Keep watching the leak and if the number continues to increase then maybe we can try you on a chinstrap to see if that helps some. Your mouth usually would be extremely dry if you are opening your mouth even when your humidifier is up on a higher setting so I don’t think that’s something we need to worry about at this time".

[SleepingUgly]

Laurie, maybe you should start a new thread for questions about your leaks.

[Roman Hokie]

Now, wait a second, Ladies. The DME IS correct. Every mask made is designed to release air (both extra from the CPAP and the exhaled air from our lungs).

Reminds me of a joke.

It was a really foggy day (the mix of humidity and rain) in the Seattle suburbs. The traffic helicopter had blown a bit off course due to the temperatures and humidity and could not get their bearings. So, the helo's navigator held up a sign in the cockpit and got the attention of some employees in a nearby office building. The nav's sign said, "We're lost. Where are we?"

The men in the office building held up their sign, "In a helicopter."

The navigator was able to give the pilot their exact location as being "One Microsoft Way." Upon hearing the location, the pilot asked, scratching his head, "What makes you say that?" The nav responded, with a wry smile, "The information was completely useless, yet correct. It had to be Microsoft's headquarters."

It's like when I ask my daughter (when she answers her mother's cell phone) where she is and she tells me, "In the car, Daddy." (my wife does not answer her cell in the car).

[Shellie_p]

OMG -- when I read some of the stupid things being said, I really worry about the future of humanity. Can human beings really be this stupid???

Scary ain't it, and many of these have MEDICAL DEGREES (Not counting RT's and or DME's)
its what 8-12 years of collage & medical school & Internships etc..

Now when I first got diagnosed 15 years ago I would expect to hear allot of this kind of things, But 15 years later!! We make our teachers attend refresher seminars every so often at least our school corp here does.. Why the heck is out medical field so clueless??