RTs think Patients shouldn't know the details?

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:33 pm

Last week I asked my RT about the weird pressure readings I was getting ( up to 15 and 17, as well as a copy of the report that they had briefly showed me when I went in after two weeks for download.

Since I still hadn't heard anything a week later, I dropped by Monday and asked. Nothing was mentioned about the pressure (surprise), and I was given a black and white "copy" of the download, but not the download I asked for. This one was the for Dec. 9 through Jan 14, when I turned in the first machine. And all it showed was User Compliance and a Summary Statistical Sheet.

Nothing showing where the apneas occured or what pressure was needed for each. Just 95% on 12.4, median 10.6 and maximum 13.2. I already knew that!!! Showed AHI of 6.6 events per hour, AI of .7 events, HI of 5.5 time in Apnea 0.3% on mask time.
Incorrect was the non-used days, it showed 5, I used it every single day.

Some of the usage hours on that chart are gray and others are black. They didn't explain that either.

My next appointment with the Sleep Dr. isn't for another week and a half.

Waverly · Post by **Waverly** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:40 pm

I brought a printout to my sleep doc. He was dumbfounded. Like he never saw 1 before. I cant believe they can call themselves sleep docs and not have the software..Its like a mechanic not having a scanner for your car. You wouldnt go back to him right.

Waverly

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:40 am

This is interesting. My doctor (an ENT) went very fast over my sleep study report. And then wrote the prescription for the CPAP. When I went to talk to the respiratory therapist with the DME my insurance company would pay for, she was the one who went over every aspect of the sleep study with me.

It amazes me that there are such different experiences with the same groups of people.

Jeanne

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:33 am

Nenetx, who is your DME. Mine in Austin is American Homepatient.

Nenetx2004 · Post by **Nenetx2004** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:21 pm

Janelle,

My DME is Monitor Medical. My respiratory therapist is Catherine Miller and she's been wonderful. I've been through 4 different masks and as I said earlier, she was the one who went through my sleep study line item by line item.

Jeanne

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:16 pm

I may have to see if that one is one my PPO list. Am Home gave me one mask, which turned out to be at least 2 years old since it is the OLD Breeze and the new improved one has been out about 2 years, from what I have read. I thought I'd have the chance to try several masks over a period of time, but no luck. She said, this is it, you have to wait 6 months for the insurance to get you another one or buy it yourself. So, I did buy one myself.

I've left countless messages and never had them call me back. Only way I can get any answers is to see them face to face or accidentally catch them in the office and then the answers are foggy at best.

Originally, they were supposed to deliver my machine and mask, but then they called to make an appintment for me to come in! A 45 minute drive for me, when I wasn't supposed to be driving15, so my dear husband and then chaffeur had to take me up there.

I'm definitely going to voice my displease to my Sleep Dr. and the home office for this organization.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:31 pm

Janelle,

I would also report them to your insurance carrier for providing you with obsolete equipment and then billing your insurance. Definately complain to your Doc and if he/she doesn't seem to care I would get a new sleep Doc.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:58 pm

When will we learn to stay away from DMEs. Just read the horror stories on this forum. Buy online. Save tons of money. Ask questions here or call cpap.com. Don't learn the hard way !

Cheers,

Chris

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:29 pm

Had a nice long talk with the Head RT this afternoon. They are not allowed to sell software with a CPAP without a Dr. directly prescribing it. Nor are they allowed to give download results. In fact, I wasn't supposed to get what I did, for what little it even showed. Only the Doctor is allowed to give patients copies of their results. And in fact, they cannot download from your CPAP unless the doctor okays it. The Doctor is also the only one allowed to discuss your detailed results shown on the software program.

Also found out my Breeze was not an old one.

I understand the way they work a lot better now and I can be a bit more compassionate for the restrictions. They are trying desperately to get the Swift masks for instance, but everything is backordered from the manufacturer and they are not allowed to purchase anywhere else. Even the Rep who came and talked to them did have an actual mask to show them!

The good part was after this discussion is that this RT realizes I am an intelligent person with a lot of scientific background that wants to be involved in my treatment as much as possible and not left hanging. He is having a meeting with the RT I've had so far tomorrow morning.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:15 pm

Janelle,

They are not "allowed" by whom? The Doc has no control over what non-prescription items the DME sells. My guess is this is the directive of the DME management and they use the Doc as the scapegoat. Whatever "nice" long talk you've had with them, I still think you're getting hosed. It it were me, I would tell them my better judgement does not "allow" me to do business with them.

Just my opinion!

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 5:54 pm

[quote="wading thru the muck!"]

They are not "allowed" by whom? The Doc has no control over what non-prescription items the DME sells. My guess is this is the directive of the DME management and they use the Doc as the scapegoat.

Well, they are not allowed by that lovely type on the inside page of the Clinicians Manual and the Software Manual, quoting in that order

This manual is intended for the use of the clinician and the home care provider. Under no circumstances should it be supplied to the patient.

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this devise to sale by or on the order of a physician.

The same Caution is in the Software manual

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:20 pm

Clinician's manual says:
This manual is intended for the use of the clinician and the home care provider. Under no circumstances should it be supplied to the patient.

There is no law that states this. I'm sure in the new car dealer cost book it says "under no circumstance should these numbers be given to the buyer" but luckily there are websites that publish this info.

Also please re-read my statment. I said: The Doc has no control over what non-prescription items the DME sells.

If you care to be left in the dark about your treatment go ahead. But many on this forum are grateful that with the software they are able to get the only info they will.

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:49 pm

And I never said I didn't think the patient shouldn't have the software if they wanted it. What I did say is this is why the DME's can't automatically give it to you. If the Doctor wrote the prescription to include the software, and I understand that is what it takes, then they could. But I don't think this is exactly a non-prescription item, at least as far as the DMEs go.

I'm seeing my sleep doctor next week and am going to ask him about a prescription for the software to see what he says. At least that way the insurance will pay for it, since it was by Prescription and deemed medically necessary.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:56 am

Janelle

I don't know what to say you have everything exactly backwards. The DME does not decide what needs a prescription, the Doc does. The Doc does not decide what the insurance will pay for, the insurance does (even if the doc says its medicaly necessary, which the software is not.)

Just trying to help... I do hope you get your software.

Mask

Mask