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Suggestions to improve DME service


Posted by CherylB on February04, 2000 at 14:08:23:

I think it's high time the DME providers recognize that sleep apnea equipment is not a "one solution for all" situation. They should be required to base the selection of a patient's equipment based on specific items about the individual patient. Only then can they realistically deliver a product that has a chance of successfully treating the patient. Documentation should be required in every patient's chart on the following issues. I'm sure you all could add to this list:

Does patient travel frequently and to destinations at varying altitudes? (i.e., patient must have a portable unit that automatically adjusts for altitude).

Does patient have hay fever or asthma? (patient needs a machine that has both pollen and ultra fine filters).

Does patient have long hair, beard, or mustache? (need to carefully select patient interface and headgear)

How sensitive is patient to noise during sleep? How about a light-sleeping spouse? (may or may not need quieter machine)

Does patient wear contact lenses when sleeping? (need to be careful about masks that leak around eyes).

How willing or able is patient to be an active participant in their treatment? (might benefit from AutoCPAP)

Does patient worry about whether the machine is working correctly? (LCD display of pressure may be reassuring to some)

Another thing that might be helpful to patients is to select a DME (if you have a choice) that is Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare organizations. Home Health agencies that are accredited are required to provide service at a certain minimum standard of care and the quality of care is judged by both periodic survey/inspections and review of documentation. Just the fact that DME provider is accredited holds them to a higher standard than average. Patients then have an extra recourse of reporting/complaining to accrediting agency.


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