I am not replying to any specific poster with this reply. Instead, perhaps we can use some reasoning to better understand how we as CPAP users can take advantage of a sleep study.
When people start throwing around the idea that essentially note "all studies are useless" or "nothing can be done without a study", it is often helpful to look for analogies to use to compare to a sleep study. So, let me drag out a favorite analogy.
When my car has unusual problems, I could try to fix it myself. Through my own experience, I know that if it's not something simple, I honestly do not know enough about how it works to quickly figure out the issue. So, I go find someone who specializes in car repair. I try to find a mechanic.
So, how would I hunt for a mechanic? I can open the Yellow Pages and find ... hundreds of them listed in most cities. Uhhh... Do I use the "eenie meenie minie moe" approach? Knowing my luck, the outcome is all to predictable: BAD!
Hey, wait! I can hunt for a "certified" mechanic. There we go, I note that fewer of the mechanics are listed as ASE Certified Mechanics. Well, that helps pare down the list. I can also certainly use location to pare down the list further. So, I have some mechanics in my area who are certified. That's a much smaller list. THAT, I can handle.
But I don't just drive the car to the first shop! Nope. I want it done right. It should not be too expensive. But more importantly, I do not want to keep coming back to have the same problem addressed. Even if they cover it under warranty, I don't have the time to waste on repeat visits. You see, I understand that being an ASE certified mechanic does not mean that the mechanic is good.
So, I call the mechanics. I learn a lot from the "feel" of the call. Often it is the intangible stuff - which "supposedly" has nothing to do with being a certified mechanic - that tells me how well I will like the mechanic and the results. Do they answer curteously? Is the answer prompt? Do they offer extra services (such as help me get the car to and from the shop)? Are they willing to get to know me and how I drive? Do they understand my overall preferences in how to maintain a car? (I keep cars a LOOOONG time, so I am pretty particular about how work is done!).
This hand full of calls will get me usually to two shops. I can visit the two. Now that I'm here, I can SEE the shops. And I want to see a fairly clean, well organized shop. Too clean and I suspect they do not have much business. Too messy and I suspect things are out of control.
This process is NOT theoretical! I walked through this process about four different times. I've been in my current area for almost 25 years. And I've stayed with my current mechanic for almost 20 years. I am very happy with them.
And you know what? The same process works when I hunt for a doctor or a sleep lab. And it is just as important.
I
*never* blindly go to a doctor, sleep lab or a DME. I do not get the chance to interview a doctor before my visit, but I typically look for reviews of doctors before I visit them. And if the first visit does not go well, I hunt for another. I am fairly tolerant of differing approaches, but expect to be treated with respect. If the doctor is not willing to explain things to me or listen, then I do not return to that doctor. But with the sleep lab and DME, I
*always* interview them first. ALWAYS.
And remember my comment that it is the intangible things that often makes the difference when choosing a mechanic? Well, the same is true with the sleep lab and the DME. I can not tell if a mechanic is truly qualified. But I can tell if they appear to have reasonable business practices and have a good approach to customer satisfaction. It matters. Ditto with doctors and sleep labs and DMEs.
This approach has not eliminated all problems. But it certainly helps. And it does not take a rocket scientist to do it.
Okay, I know most regular members of the forum understand this. But I thought it might help newer members or just cruising through. Afterall, my 20 years of dealing with sleep problems has helped me figure out how to work with the system.
