I got a big problem with Respironics now and it has nothing to do with with foam gate or the fact that some doctors might think the data collected is superior...it isn't superior...it's just a bit different data in terms of how some of the data gets presented for viewing....assuming anyone actually in charge of anything looks at the data.
My biggest problem is what direction Respironics is going in terms of what it is doing to limit patient access to the data or in some cases something as simple as the hose air temp on the heated hose.
People using Respironics machines or considering getting one (aside from the foam issue) need to read what the OSCAR software development team has written about the curve ball Respironics has thrown with the DreamStation 2 models.
Now some people may not care about their inability to access data or common comfort settings but I just don't like the way this is heading and for that reason I no longer can/will advise any Respironics product. My own personal "stick it to Respironics" way of thinking.
Respironics is listening to DMEs and doctors and NOT end users. If you were diabetic how would having a device to check your blood glucose levels sit with you when it only reported to your doctor?...and you had to call up your doctor to get the results and what you should be doing in terms of your insulin???? I have been waiting 6 days now to get a return phone call from my own mother's doctor (or her team) about my mom's thyroid meds.
Good luck getting prompt attention/care from a DME or doctor about changing your hose air temp or whatever else they decide to limit in the future.
viewtopic/t184531/OSCAR-140-Released--June-17-2022.html
Philips Respironics and the DreamStation 2
This time Philips Respironics threw us a curve ball.
Coinciding with a recall for nearly every consumer machine they have built in the last large number of years, Philips released the DreamStation 2, which is unaffected by recall. The recall was of "All Affected Devices Manufactured Before 26 April 2021, All Device Serial Numbers." Philips Respironics has encrypted the data on the DreamStation 2 so that they can control and monetize that data by making it accessible, for a fee, to their providers only and only with their proprietary system Care-Orchestrator. With considerable effort, the OSCAR team has been able to decrypt the data so that OSCAR can show you the data from your machine.
The changes made by Philips in the DreamStation 2 are harmful to patient empowerment, making it more difficult for you to manage your own sleep apnea therapy.
So far the OSCAR Team has found three major changes made by Philips in the DreamStation 2 devices:
1...The data on the SD card IS Encrypted purportedly to limit access to the data to clinical personnel ONLY and NOT the end-users, the people who have Sleep Apnea. As of June 2022, OSCAR can read this data.
2...There are two levels of the DreamStation 2. First are the "Advanced" models. These are much more "user friendly" than the "NON-ADVANCED" models. The NON-ADVANCED models can easily be identified via their two-toned cases with blue bottoms. These "NON-ADVANCED" models truly limit what you can adjust.
3...The tube temperature of some DreamStation 2 "NON-ADVANCED" models CANNOT be changed by the end-user. Why? When asked, a Phillips representative stated, "We are taking away more settings from the user in order to have the 'clinicians' take care of that". To our current knowledge the DreamStation 2 CPAP and DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP (NON-ADVANCED models) do not have a Providers Menu. Changes to most CPAP settings can only be set via Care Orchestrator Essence, which is not available to the CPAP user.
The above changes are at best disturbing. For end users, the "official" read access to CPAP data is via DreamMapper, which has Summary data and Compliance info only. Detailed data is available only through Care Orchestrator Essence, which is available ONLY for clinical personnel.
Item #1 speaks for itself. All detailed data is encrypted and as such is not available to the end-user from Phillips Respironics. (As noted above, OSCAR can currently access this information).
Item #3 outright says that Philips is taking away access to even basic humidification from the end-users.
Risks:
This is a big one. This trend within Philips Respironics to make all new devices so that ONLY clinical personnel will have access to your medical data is growing.
Philips Respironics has chosen to make some new devices so that ONLY clinical personnel will be able to change settings on the CPAP with access solely through Care Orchestrator, eliminating the Provider Menu. That appears to have been done on the DreamStation 2 (NOT ADVANCED) devices.
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
