pap set up

Hi. I am a therapist for a DME company, and would like some input on cpap set ups? The best place i feel to get some sorta ideas is from the users themselves, my question is "how long do you think a new cpap set up should take?' From start to finesh, and what do you think should be covered in the set up? What should be stressed on more during the set up. Thanks

Set up machine and program settings. Show patient how to do this properly.

Install software on patient's computer so they can track therapy and adjust settings accordingly.

Teach patient to create and analyze reports from the software.

Show patient how to clean and maintain all equipment and how to determine when it's useful life is over.

Provide patient with his/her most current prescription.

Shouldn't take more than 4 hrs...unless they have questions.


If the above is too much trouble, send them to us....we'll teach them everything they NEED to know!

Judging from all the discussions I've read here the past seven months mask fitting is the single most common cause of frustration for new users. Spend as much time as necessary to make sure the patient has a mask that fits properly and comfortably. That may necessitate trying several masks and may require you to be in active contact with the patient as often as every day for several weeks. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's my take based on many, many forum comments.

LinkC wrote:Set up machine and program settings. Show patient how to do this properly.

Install software on patient's computer so they can track therapy and adjust settings accordingly.

Teach patient to create and analyze reports from the software.

Show patient how to clean and maintain all equipment and how to determine when it's useful life is over.

Provide patient with his/her most current prescription.

Shouldn't take more than 4 hrs...unless they have questions.


If the above is too much trouble, send them to us....we'll teach them everything they NEED to know!

I like the way you think ....
So I'll add,,,,show how to properly fit & don the mask. And how to find their leak line in the graph - what it means when they have a leak. But all this will take too long.

So, Is there something they can so in ten minutes or less?

I think you should consider the clients knowledge and interest level. You need to be available later by phone, email, or visit when the client needs and is interested in more information. I have a few friends on CPAP who are not interested in following their numbers or the software and a DME would be wasting their time going into all of that. I think the suggestions given, especially mask fitting are good. Many people (those who don't research OSA or find a forum for additional knowledge) just aren't interested in the more complicated aspects of therapy. If mask fitting is successful and maybe some hand holding through the first several weeks clients may be successful and compliant. I would make sure they understand ramp or settling, EPR or A-flex (C-flex), adjusting the humdifier and help with mask fitting. When I first got my machine all I could handle was how to set it up and clean the thing. As my interest and knowledge grew I found forums and learned how to check my numbers and what they mean. I'm glad you're motivated to ask what new clients need. My DME also showed me how to enter the patient menu and check leak, ahi and ai, but not what these numbers mean or should be.

and mask fitting means with them laying down... not in a chair! A mask can fit differently in a chair than it does laying down.

GumbyCT wrote: So, Is there something they can do in ten minutes or less?

Yes! The "send 'em to us" part... http://www.cpaptalk.com


Obviously, my first post was a bit tongue-in-cheek... HOWEVER, I sincerely believe they should be told they have the option of participating in their own therapy...and that the resources ARE available if they wish to do so. Sure, I doubt any DME tech is gonna actually SHOW them how to change settings (that would be irresponsible without the ability/desire to analyze their own data).

But neither should they imply that it is "black magic" reserved only for the anointed. At least let them know it's an option.