CPAP machine with data features

[Sleep2Snore]

At my clinic the machine is downloaded at every visit. If there are no problems this is once a year. At the yearly appointment the engineer is in clinic and he services the machine (tests the pressure, humidifier, cleans the internal filter and electrical safety (PAT) test), whilst the physiologist goes through the data and swapping out masks etc.

That ideally is how it should be done.
They did do that for a short while, but it didn't last long.

[Tricia]

That ideally is how it should be done.
They did do that for a short while, but it didn't last long.

Yep, same here. NHS cut-backs.

[jackieb]

Yep, same here. NHS cut-backs.

Do the cpap machines have to be pat tested at certain intervals because I have not been to my sleep clinic for over 12 months they told me at my last visit in 2012 that they did not want to see me for another six years and would send me a mask every 12 months which I always thought had to be changed at about six month intervals so I have bought my own which was the Wisp it is a great mask and I have just bought a replacement part from Hope2sleep so did not have to buy the whole mask and straps.

[Tricia]

Do the cpap machines have to be pat tested at certain intervals because I have not been to my sleep clinic for over 12 months they told me at my last visit in 2012 that they did not want to see me for another six years and would send me a mask every 12 months which I always thought had to be changed at about six month intervals so I have bought my own which was the Wisp it is a great mask and I have just bought a replacement part from Hope2sleep so did not have to buy the whole mask and straps.

The PAT test is only for electrical equipment in work places. My machine has a sticker on it that say "checked only for electrical safety" and the date. A PAT sticker actually says "PAT" on it.

My machine gets checked annually, and the technician gives me a replacement mask at the same time. I certainly wouldn't be happy with my machine not getting checked for six years, and would be searching the internet to find out the maximum safe time between checks.

[Alleycat]

Most manufacturers actually say their machines don't need servicing or testing for 5 years. The interval between PAT tests is dependant on the local medical engineering department. They will decide how long they are happy to go between tests. A few years ago my hospital switched to 2 years because although there are 2 nurses/ physiologists in clinic there is only one engineer. Everyone gets seen but only half the people will have their machine seen, but the data is always downloaded and looked at. If someone forgets to bring their powerpack the engineer will always tell them off in a nice way and say they need to bring it next time. If it looks visably in tact there is unlikely to be a problem with it. However, I would worry about no one checking compliance or efficacy of treatment for 6 years. That is appalling. Would you pm me which clinic that is? What is the protocol if you have a problem? Do you have a drop-in clinic or way of quickly being seen?
As for masks, with proper cleaning and care most should last 12 months, some last much longer others only just make 12 months. Daily cleaning with washing up liquid prolongs the seal and making sure you use the quick release clips rather than repeatedly redoing the velcro will prolong the life of the headgear.

[Tricia]

A few years ago my hospital switched to 2 years because although there are 2 nurses/physiologists in clinic, there is only one engineer. Everyone gets seen, but only half the people will have their machine seen, but the data is always downloaded and looked at.

We used to have three nurses, but I don't know how many are there now, as I don't actually go into the clinic area. I sit in the waiting area and the technician comes through to take my machine away, and then he brings it back to me.

I can phone the clinic and leave a message on their ansering machine, telling them that I'd like to see a nurse, and then they'll phone me back and decide whether they'll grant me an appointment or not.

[Alleycat]

Tricia, that's terrible. So you basically get no support? Would you PM me which clinic you are at. I know some people who are working on improving standards for sleep services and it would help them to know which ones could do with some help.

[Grumpy]

annual clinic visit

I went on Wednesday and they simply reviewed the data for compliance (which I failed) and gave me a new mask. New appointment for next year.
That's it.

What we need is for the manufacturer's to give us the data so that we can manage our condition properly ourselves; since no-one else is going to do it.
I would love to see a graph of how the pressure varies over the night from my autoset and how it ties in with my events and loo visits.

[dravidio]

Data? Get the DeVilbiss sleep cube

You can access all the data and printout you need if you have a DeVilbiss sleep cube which generates codes for 1 day, 7 days, 30 days and 90 days, telling you how many AHIs per hour, leak rate of mask, exhale puff index, Maximum pressures, time used etc etc...

You just need to connect to the website cpap.com to input the code and receive an instant report.