Going to be needing knee surgery soon... might lose my CPAP

pettyfan45 wrote: As far as written instructions go, I will try but I am not sure how to articulate it for someone who does not know what they are doing, though that should not be needed (hopefully) they should be able call a respiratory therapist if they need help.

Things like your pressure setting, EPR, mask make/model & size. I know it's hard to imagine that your mask could possibly get lost or damaged while in the hospital or that the RT would set your pressure @ 4-20 because they don't know what it should be.

Guest wrote:make a list and include your written pressure settings and other instructions in case you are not coherent.

For other instructions let me say if you are worried about compliance consider some worst cast thoughts. I know many docs today who simply will not discuss patient care even with family w/o legal documentation. So consider either a POA or Healthcare Representative which usu. includes things like a living will, organ donation, etc.

Do you know anyone who planned their entrance into a coma, cardiac arrest, or the like? None of us will live forever and most don't like to discuss it but that only makes it harder for those left behind.

I remember handing my fathers doc a duly executed Healthcare Representative form when he asked "And how are you related?" My response was simply "With this it doesn't matter".

Things to write down (for me) would include, current meds, family and other docs with phone numbers, Allergies, any pertinent medical Hx, surgeries, etc. The cpap & mask info can be written on painters tape then applied to the cpap - be sure to include your name & the name of your Healthcare Representative or other family member just in case.

IMO the reason to write things down is when we are under duress we often forget minor details and you can imagine if a loved was trying to provide your info & medical Hx from memory.

To me it's like buying insurance - you pay and simply hope you never need to use it cuz when you don't have it Murphy comes calling. Always have a Plan A and a Plan B.

I have been in the hospital several times and have used my own cpap machine. I think they are happy for you to use your own that is already set for your needs.

Guest wrote:I remember handing my fathers doc a duly executed Healthcare Representative form when he asked "And how are you related?" My response was simply "With this it doesn't matter".

Not cool. The doctor's relationship with primary person responsible for a patient can be very important.

When I was in the hospital, the "respiratory therapist" needed help setting the hospital's S9 Autoset to my Rx.
Made me think of "The Peter Principle".
Incompetence abounds. Makes you wonder what they do with all that money . . .

Chevie wrote:

Guest wrote:I remember handing my fathers doc a duly executed Healthcare Representative form when he asked "And how are you related?" My response was simply "With this it doesn't matter".

Not cool. The doctor's relationship with primary person responsible for a patient can be very important.

I should've added the doc agreed.

chunkyfrog wrote:When I was in the hospital, the "respiratory therapist" needed help setting the hospital's S9 Autoset to my Rx.
Made me think of "The Peter Principle".
Incompetence abounds. Makes you wonder what they do with all that money . . .

Not sure how it is today but CPAP was something the RTs would learn on the job not in school. Hospital RTs may not see many cpaps - just one more reason to bring your own - is that BYOB Bring Your Own Breather?

The hospital OWNED the S9. You tell me why nobody knew how to operate it!

chunkyfrog wrote:The hospital OWNED the S9. You tell me why nobody knew how to operate it!

Not defending them but they prob know how to operate the other Hospital owned equipment, right? And we don't.

Guest wrote:CPAP was/is something the RTs would learn on the job not in school.

Expecting training from a patient JUST OUT OF SURGERY is a bit much, I'd say.

chunkyfrog wrote:Expecting training from a patient JUST OUT OF SURGERY is a bit much, I'd say.

I won't disagree with that = BYOB.

I very much doubt that there will be any sort of problem with this. If you're still worried about it, call your health care insurance company directly and ask them.

By the way, I'm not sure how hospitals handle patients with CPAP, but it makes the most sense to me to use the same machine that the person is used to.

i had nasal surgery and could not use my machine for 2 whole long weeks
no issue with keeping the machine

when i have had several surgeries they ask me to bring my machine in
they have a RT check it out... tag it and have been able to use it with no
issue

tell the doctor the anesthesiologist and everyone else you have sleep apnea... they know how to deal with the issues

w

Ok so I heard from the insurance company today and also saw my sleep doctor. The sleep doctor mentioned that my insurance company still checks compliance to approve supplies and if I do have any issues getting supplies after I get home to just call his office and he will help sort it out. The insurance company said that I should not lose my machine if I get admitted. Also I talked to my Dad who had to have a hermriod surgically removed at the hospital I will be going to and he mentioned that in the recovery area they didn't have any bedside tables, so I am not sure what they will use while I am in recovery, but I will have my machine in the trunk of the car and if I am admitted I will have my family bring it up to my room, before they leave.

I recently had Knee surgury, partial Knee Replacement, Do you think anyone in the OR maay be concerned if you stop breathing x times per hour?
A advised the my Dr and Anesthesiology Of my OSA and my UNTREATED results AHI 70. Bottom line is they took it into surgury, They were reminding me to breath so I had them make an adjustment (BiPAP VAuto) to invrease my base pressure and increase my PS to assist in the breathing stronger. BRING IT WITH YOU anytime you think you may need it.

bonjour wrote:I recently had Knee surgury, partial Knee Replacement, Do you think anyone in the OR maay be concerned if you stop breathing x times per hour?
A advised the my Dr and Anesthesiology Of my OSA and my UNTREATED results AHI 70. Bottom line is they took it into surgury, They were reminding me to breath so I had them make an adjustment (BiPAP VAuto) to invrease my base pressure and increase my PS to assist in the breathing stronger. BRING IT WITH YOU anytime you think you may need it.

That's a great idea. I hadn't thought of that when I had arthroscopic knee surgery. I'm having arthroscopic shoulder surgery a few months from now. I'll make sure to let the doctor know.

I know when I had surgeries to remove thyroid cancer, they stuck a tube down my throat. I suspect that there is no need for CPAP when having that type of surgery; the tube, I suspect, guarantees that I'll get air. However, if I do have to another surgery for cancer, I'll make sure to let the doctor know about CPAP. At a minimum, I'll need it while sleeping if inpatient.