How much should a DME tech know?

Thanks for all of the responses.

I will admit that I had little to no knowledge regarding CPAP, APAP, or BiPAP devices. Even though I have been using a CPAP device for at least twelve years. As long as it seemed to work, why should I complain.

I know that I have not taken a proactive role in my therapy. I haven't spoken to a doctor regarding the CPAP device except regarding usage. Initially, I was told that if I wanted to, I would be able to go a night or two without the machine and not have any apnea. However, I have been very compliant and found that I could not sleep without the machine.

Again, I am no expert. However, if I were to sell a product, especially a medical device, I would make every effort to understand the basics. That would include measuring and fitting masks, and basic functions of the various products. I would also seek to meet the customer's needs. I did ask that he measure me for a full face mask. He didn't. I asked him about the ResMed FF quatro. He told me that he had not heard of such a mask and maybe it was discontinued. He made no effort to look.

I guess it was the lack of effort that bothered me most. I drove for 30 minutes each way to pick up the machine at a time that was convenient for him. That was a larger time commitment then he put into his "craft".

With the machine that I ordered, it is possible for the clinician to set functions so that the patient can see some data. It is also important to set the machine for the mask. Nothing was set except for the defaults, the date and time. The machine was setup as basically a "dumb" machine only measuring the hours used.

Mind you, my previous experience with CPAP machines and limited interest would have made these settings exceptable in the past. Because I have not had a recent sleep study, I felt that my past machines were at inadequate settings. This site made me realize that there were machines that could adjust to my needs without my experimenting.

Sorry, I guess that I am ranting. I am still trying to catch up with my sleep.

Thank you all.

sam1234 : definitely sounds like you got stuck with a bum DME rep. It's unfortunate that he wouldn't even take the time to LISTEN to what you were asking for, let alone to research it himself. Not to toot my own horn, but I always feel like I have a vested interest in the care of my patients. I could easily force them into a product with the highest margins, or the most basic one that requires little knowledge on my part.. but I have to sleep at night. Plus, I know that if I take good care of them I'll have a patient who is not only loyal to me for life, but I'll have someone that is going to tell everyone they know about the level of service they've received. It's hard to be good in this field without being actively empathetic.

Unfortunately, as jnk said, some people are only interested in the money. They want you in and out of the door as quickly as possible. They see you as a one-time sale and want to wash their hands once you walk out the door. How do you find the good ones? They listen when you talk.