machine vs. manometer

Just an FYI

My Remstar Plus (Basic) machine was set by resp. therapist at 15 cm.

Out of curiosity, I got the H20 column manometer from cpap.com to test the pressure setting.
Manometer reading was 16.5 cm(!)

I called cpap.com to verify that I was using the manometer correctly, ( I was) and was told that if one were to set three like macines to the same pressure, one woud get three different manometer readings, and that's why they use the manometer to adjust a machine's pressure.

Any thoughts on how much of an error between Rx'd pressure and actual pressure should be considered worrisome?

Cpap titration technique is less than exact. If you are feeling rested, there is little cause for concern. Being somewhat over pressured is usually better than being under pressured. I suggest asking cpap.com to fax you pressure setting directions for your machine and setting the prescribed value yourself. You may also want to inform the DME since setting machines without a manometer is sloppy and generally considered unacceptable. Hopefully, they will understand that you are simply looking out for them and their future patients.

morphy wrote:Just an FYI

My Remstar Plus (Basic) machine was set by resp. therapist at 15 cm.

Out of curiosity, I got the H20 column manometer from cpap.com to test the pressure setting.
Manometer reading was 16.5 cm(!)

I called cpap.com to verify that I was using the manometer correctly, ( I was) and was told that if one were to set three like macines to the same pressure, one woud get three different manometer readings, and that's why they use the manometer to adjust a machine's pressure.

Any thoughts on how much of an error between Rx'd pressure and actual pressure should be considered worrisome?

Just another great reason to use an auto-pap. Even if the pressure readout on the auto is inaccurate, it will still adjust itself to the required pressure.

That pressure may also vary depending on the altitude setting if there is one. I've found that an incorrect altitude settng may vary a manometer-read pressure by as much as 1.5cm. I don't know if the basic Remstars have that adjustment or not.