ResScan Software Unavailable

Velbor wrote:A supportive sleep-medicine office may be willing to let you borrow a copy of the software to install on your own computer, as an extension of their own professional service. (It may be expedient to ask the support staff first, to avoid putting the physician in a compromising position. If they decline, by all means ask your doctor directly.) Their response, in addition to hopefully providing you with the software, may give you good feedback as to just how "supportive" your physician is willing to be.

twokatmew wrote: Nope. You're not "borrowing" software in this case, you're stealing. Since my software's on back order, I haven't seen the actual licensing agreement, but I can guarantee you that it does not provide for docs to hand out copies of a $200 software program to patients. (Typically companies that do this have a licensing model that supports such a program.) Any business could get fined significantly for handing out software like that, as they are periodically audited for such things. I know, because I used to manage software licensing compliance for a major medical school, and I watched several people lose their jobs over handing out software for free.

[My address ommitted]

June 18, 2009

Drew Terry
c/o ResMed Corp
9001 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Attention: Drew Terry — Project Manager

Dear Mr. Terry:

RESSCAN SOFTWARE FOR PATIENTS/END USERS

It has been brought to my attention that you are no longer authorizing the sale of ResScan software to end users in the United States. While I understand that this decision was probably in part due to legal protection, perhaps restrictions from the FDA, I must voice my concerns that you are depriving apnea patients, that are very serious in the participation in their therapy, the ability to view their own data and ensure that adequate therapy is being delivered.

In February 2009, I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I am thirty-six years old, and a patient that uses a ResMed S8 Autoset II. Without the guidance of my online support group (some being 10+ years veterans on xPAP therapy) and being able to monitor my data with the ResScan software, my therapy would have suffered. I only get one appointment with my sleep doctor per year, and he is very hard to get a hold of most of the time. According to the hordes of apnea patients that share their voice on the Internet, it seems appointments are extremely difficult to book with most sleep doctors.

Without being able to adjust my settings, which I do directly on the machine as opposed to using ResScan, I would not have the consistent <3 AHI numbers I do now. I cannot imagine how my health would have suffered for an entire year without the aforementioned tools and people at my disposal.

My mother and sister are diabetic. I also know many other diabetics who also happen to have OSA. Endocrinologists and physicians routinely show patients how to adjust their medication as necessary depending on the glucose levels that show on their meters (and A1c tests). Why are apnea patients deprived and discouraged from doing the same with their pressures? Why can’t our doctors teach us what to do so we can safely adjust our settings to get the ultimate result: good health? In most cases, I would think pressure settings would not be more dangerous than adjusting medications that alter blood chemistry, i.e., glucose and insulin levels.

However, I am not looking to work against you, but rather with you, as a ResMed customer. I would like to make the suggestion that you look at your competitors, Respironics (et al), who provide a "viewer only" version of software (like Encore Viewer), where a patient can view all the detailed data from the machine but do not have access to change settings. That way, they can at least be an active part of their own therapy, since they would need an RT, sleep doctor or someone at their Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company to change pressure settings. However, I still believe that a patient can be taught how to safely adjust their own pressures.

My impression of ResMed is that it is a company that produces quality products and cares about their customers. The Autoset II is extremely well made, easy to use and provides me with quiet, comfortable sleep every night. When calling Customer Service with questions, everyone was very pleasant, helpful and gave me satisfactory information. Hopefully, profit margins, partnerships with other corporations and government entanglement don’t overshadow the main goal, which is to help people achieve optimal health. It is perplexing as to why your company in this case, and the medical community as a whole, have excluded those they are trying to help: the patients.

One day, I believe the medical community will embrace patients who desire to be a part of, and contribute to, their own therapy. It is my hope that this letter contributes to the ripple that we, as patients, hope to expand to the medical professionals that help save, and to some degree control, our health.

Sincerely,


Kenny [My last name ommitted]
Current user of the ResMed S8 Autoset II

cc: Dr. Peter C. Farrell, PhD, DSc, AM — Executive Chairman of the Board
David Pendarvis — Sr. Vice President, Organizational Development
Kieran T. Gallahue — President and Chief Executive Officer

MidnightOwl wrote:This is terrific news! I'm almost ready to buy a data capable replacement for my old Plus M. The prospect of researching all those choices seemed daunting. Suddenly the decision has been made so much easier. Thank you Resmed for eliminating your machines from consideration. Days of reading saved!

apnez wrote:Not only Resmed will be considered as a non option but their software will be copied and redistributed by Web sites as it is already the case by the piratebay.com. You only have to type ResScan for a "free" copy!

twokatmew wrote:...the second comment says this software is an older version that doesn't work with the USB card reader...