Cpap use in hospital

I'm being admitted to the hospital next week for 2 weeks and obviously I want to use the cpap. I've read and seen that people have done so but I'm wondering how problematic it is? Or is it like most things and just depends on the nurses you get?

When I had my heart attack and was admitted to one of the major hospitals here. My wife asked if she needed to bring in my Bipap. they told her no that it wasn't hospital inspected for use. I also was admitted to a smaller hospital for Kidney Stones and when I asked, If they wanted me to bring in my Bipap they said yes because it was already setup for me and I was comfortable using it. My advice would be to call ahead and let them know that you are a Pap user and ask if they are going to provide a unit or should you bring yours.
Thats just my 2 cents worth.

have the admitting doctor write an order on the chart stating that you can use your own cpap and mask. nurses run the hospital, but they follow doctors orders.

Ah, that makes sense. I'm supposed to be talking to the office on Friday and I will make sure to mention it to them then.

Thanks!

In my opinion, patients (and I've been one plenty of times) need to take control when they are able to. I would bring yours, tell them you will be using it. If they say you can't, tell them that they need to bring you one and you will be using yours until they do. End of story. I've been told that I can't take my regular meds that they will order them. I give them a few hours to get them and if they don't show up, well I have mine and take them. Patients have rights and the hospitals have responsibilities. If something isn't going right for you, ask to see a patient advocate. Sorry for rambling. It's something that I feel strongly about.

Guest wrote:In my opinion, patients (and I've been one plenty of times) need to take control when they are able to. I would bring yours, tell them you will be using it. If they say you can't, tell them that they need to bring you one and you will be using yours until they do. End of story. I've been told that I can't take my regular meds that they will order them. I give them a few hours to get them and if they don't show up, well I have mine and take them. Patients have rights and the hospitals have responsibilities. If something isn't going right for you, ask to see a patient advocate. Sorry for rambling. It's something that I feel strongly about.

Amen! Wife had a hip replacement 2-1/2 weeks ago. The second day after the operation her blood pressure was very low in the late afternoon and she could not do her PT she was so weak. So what does the nurse do? An hour later they give her blood pressure meds! You really have to watch these people, all they do is read charts, no thinking on their feet at all. She's doing good now, walked 1/4 mile with her cane today!

my dad was unexpectantly admitted to the hospital a few months ago (gall bladder problem at work)

the first night he was there they had him use one of their machines. but they let me bring him his bipap the next day.

When my husband was in the hospital he got to bring his machine. When I was in the hospital I had to use theirs. It smelled so bad I couldn't use it. Maybe it was because I was so sick.

When I had surgery a couple of weeks ago. They told me to bring mine, I ended up staying and I used mine. The nurse hooked it up under my directions.

If you're on CPAP you should definitely be taking it.
Majority of the time I hear they actually request you to bring it.

I take mine and the hospital doesn't say anything. Be nice, but be firm.

Sheriff

We also want to make sure that a spouse or other responsible adult knows to insist on your own machine,
or the same or functionally identical hospital machine, and to convey that to the doctor, if you are unable to do so.
--maybe even add a signed statement to our medical file? Hmm.

I had heart surgery a couple years ago at a major hospital and they wanted me on my own cpap the very first night......I had to have a respiratory nurse set it all up for me as I couldnt do it myself, but there was absolutely no question by the hospital or staff on using my own cpap and mask.

I'm with everyone else. I told everyone I had severe apnea and needed my machine. I was given the option of using the hospital's or my own, I took my own. I labeled everything, and my husband sanitized everything on my return home.

Ooh, labeling everything is a good idea. I didn't think of that!

Thanks for the info, definitely bringing it with me!