CPAP setup by NON-licensed professionals

[Aussiegirl]

Some states have started litigation regarding the use of non0-licensed personnel setting up PAP machines without proper instruction to the patient.

The DME companies nationally are having the truck drivers that set up hospital beds etc deliver and set up CPAP, Bi Pap's now. They say they are not allowed to touch them with the mask, so it is OK, but they do any how, the drivers are mad and very uncomfortable with this process.

How can we stop it? This needs to be addressed first, with your Doctor that prescribed such equipment and to write on the Rx "to be set up by RT".
Second, Medicare should be notified and the patient can demand that they have a licensed Respiratory Therapist and ask to see their credentials. That is your right, that is the law!

They laid off all the full time RT's to avoid providing benefits and cut the budget. Patients are coming back for help and compliance is dropping.

[JDS74]

While having a licensed RT available for setting up the machine is helpful, in my very limited experience, it doesn't guarantee that it will be done correctly. I'm on my second CPAP machine, both of which were set up by RT's, and neither of then were set up to what the prescription stated. I had to set them both up myself. Thanks to the help for this board's members, I was able to check and do it myself. Pat on the back for pugsy and others for being there and being so helpful.

Just another reason to get and keep and be knowledgeable of what YOUR prescription says and being able to check the machine to be sure it is set correctly.

[chunkyfrog]

But, in the case of patients who are NOT as knowledgeable as those here;
who is going to advocate for them? If one is to land on another forum, how much help will they have?
Is there any valid excuse for turning a patient loose without training?
Diabetes instruction is not that different--why one and not the other?

[sc0ttt]

Diabetes instruction is not that different--why one and not the other?

Well the consequences for screwing up diabetes therapy are quite a bit worse.

I think this can work if there's a safety net.

[chunkyfrog]

Actually, the effect is faster with diabetes, but the results are just as bad.

[TheDuke]

The DME firms are charging quite a premium in their pricing of CPAP,BiLevel,or APAP equipment and they should be required to have a trained professional setup the equipment and to provide some counseling to patients.. As patients we (or our various insurers) are paying for some assurance that the medical order for PAP is being correctly fulfilled. I realize that many of the members of this forum have experience and knowledge of their condition and are fully capable to setup their own machines, but I also realize that many patients really need some trained guidance on setup. I know from direct personal acquaintance that most of my friends who use PAP really have no idea what is being done when they purchase or rent the prescribed equipment. It is absurd to have legal requirement for a doctor's prescription to receive PAP equipment and then have untrained personnel who set it up.

Let me make it clear that I am NOT saying that informed patients should never experiment with their own settings.
TheDuke

[chunkyfrog]

Well said, Duke.

[Aussiegirl]

Agree Duke, the patient is the one who suffers.
In regards to the post about incorrect setting from what the Doctor's Rx states, I hope you reported this one to the Doctor,(so the doctor does not use that company again) Joint Commission (who gives them accreditation) and Board of licensure for your state, and your insurance company.

Like any prescription, it should be checked 3 times, beginning, during and after, the machine should have been turned on in your presence and physically demonstrated on you, hence they should have seen the pressures prescribed.

[nanwilson]

Sounds like Aussiegirl is an out of work RT or is upset that the patients here are helping other patients..... Maybe if RT's and DME's would do their job then others would not have to take up the slack when uninformed newbies are thrown to the wolves with no help whatsoever. RTs and DMEs are being PAID to do their job... so why don't they JUST DO IT!!!!!!
Cheers
Nan

[Aussiegirl]

NAN, Thank you for your support. We as medical people are frustrated by the lack of concern for the patient that has taken over the medical field. I am retired, but still very active in being a patient care activist with the Florida Society for Respiratory care.
It won't change until the patients start squawking to their doctors and the doctors and insurance companies that they contract with, and they get threatened to take their business else where.

DME companies are in business to make money, they could give a flying fig about YOU. MONEY! Now they won't set up patients unless they have the co-pays up front.

[hinsey]

In state of KY, you must be a licensed RT or nurse to touch a CPAP... point blank. If anyone knows this happening it needs to be reported. Have a cpap and RT was awesome, very informative and helped me consistently. Don't knock those that "do" give a flying fig. Im sorry youve had some that didnt but its unfair to think all they care about is the money. Totally false statement.

[Wulfman...]

In state of KY, you must be a licensed RT or nurse to touch a CPAP... point blank. If anyone knows this happening it needs to be reported. Have a cpap and RT was awesome, very informative and helped me consistently. Don't knock those that "do" give a flying fig. Im sorry youve had some that didnt but its unfair to think all they care about is the money. Totally false statement.

Well, Kyle, you've been around here for about 2 1/2 years, so you should have been able to see for yourself the spectrum of folks (who are referenced in posts on the forum) who are "in the business" who DON'T give a flying fig (yes, there are some who do). Problem is that most people starting into this therapy don't know what kind of DME they're dealing with until they have their first experience......good or bad. And, if they have a "bad" experience, it may be too late by then.
So, it's not a "totally false statement". But, anybody who has half a brain and can read can set up most of these machines according to the doctors' "orders".


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

Most of the RT's I've dealt with are competent and dedicated; but they are working in a field that is very competitive,
and their work is deeply undervalued. Company policy is often all about money, especially with the big chains.
My DME has commented recently that he has had trouble getting past my pneumonologist's "desk dragon".
(I suspect one of the chains may have her sympathy, for one reason or another).
So I used some of my appointment time to explain "contracted providers" to my doctor. He had no idea.

[SGearhart]

In state of KY, you must be a licensed RT or nurse to touch a CPAP... point blank. If anyone knows this happening it needs to be reported. Have a cpap and RT was awesome, very informative and helped me consistently. Don't knock those that "do" give a flying fig. Im sorry youve had some that didnt but its unfair to think all they care about is the money. Totally false statement.

While I'm not in Kentucky, I'm unable to find this law you refer to. Please provide a link to it.

Thanks in advance.

[R Mahon]

In the state of MS do you have to have a licensed RT to set up Cpap and Bipap.