More on Sleep Apnea

[Buck52]

Opportunities Missed to Contain Spending on Sleep Apnea Devices and Improve Veterans’ Outcomes

Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG) sent this bulletin at 01/14/2020 12:34 PM EST

Opportunities Missed to Contain Spending on Sleep Apnea Devices and Improve Veterans’ Outcomes

01/13/2020 07:00 PM EST

 

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to determine if the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is efficiently managing positive airway pressure devices (sleep apnea devices) and supplies for veterans diagnosed with sleep apnea. The number of veterans diagnosed with sleep apnea who receive devices and supplies increased dramatically between fiscal years 2014 and 2018.

This has significantly increased the financial risk to VA. If VHA does not change its practices and leverage opportunities to save money, the OIG estimates it risks spending about $261.3 million over the next five years on devices and supplies veterans will not use. VHA did not efficiently manage sleep apnea devices and associated supplies. The OIG found that almost half of the 250,000 veterans issued a device from October 2016 through May 2018 used it less than half the time. This can reduce therapy effectiveness.

The mismanagement occurred in part because VHA did not identify and follow up with veterans who were not using their devices as recommended. The OIG also found that VHA did not have a sleep medicine staffing model to help ensure it conducted patient follow up. A model will determine staffing to help ensure follow up is conducted. VHA could save up to $39.9 million per year by loaning devices to veterans rather than issuing them for permanent use. A loan program would allow unused devices to be returned and reused. VHA could save up to an additional $12.4 million per year by not purchasing device supplies for veterans who do not use their devices. The OIG made three recommendations to the under secretary for health regarding sleep apnea device management. The recommendations include studying staffing levels, looking at using existing technologies to better monitor device use, and looking at alternatives to purchasing devices.

[Vync]

1 hour ago, GBArmy said:

Dustoff 11 Last September I got 2 replacement masks after getting a hard time from them; seems usage is supposed to be minimum of 2 months per mask. 

They tell me that I am supposed to get replacement masks only every six months. Oof...

[GBArmy]

I asked for a longer hose pretty early and got it no problem. I do think the worse thing is getting the mask to fit properly and be comfortable. I was told that the type that just fits over your nose is the most comfortable, but I have to have the full face mask. I can't breath thru my nose very well. I must admit my tech has always been willing to help. Just like anything else at the VA: you either get a good one or a bozo. I think the majority are in the middle. Just don't be stupid and give them a hard time; what goes round comes around.

[GBArmy]

I asked for a longer hose pretty early and got it no problem. I do think the worse thing is getting the mask to fit properly and be comfortable. I was told that the type that just fits over your nose is the most comfortable, but I have to have the full face mask. I can't breath thru my nose very well. I must admit my tech has always been willing to help. Just like anything else at the VA: you either get a good one or a bozo. I think the majority are in the middle. Just don't be stupid and give them a hard time; what goes round comes around.

[GBArmy]

Vync I don't know now. I just checked what I got today and it is the same brand, ResMed. That was the same as before. I really hope they changed the manufacturing process on the seals. I won't know until I give them a try.

[Buck52]

I wish the VA would come up with something other than the C-PAP to use and get updated on modern medicine and its technologies.

I keep my c-pap clean and cleaning it a lot will cause things to start leaking  I guess it dries out and becomes brittle or something?  so I get out the old masking tape  eh! 

My supplier at my center is getting more and more hard for us to get new hoses mask ect,,ect,, a year or so ago it was fairly easy to go get replacement parts  but now they make it hard and ask well have you been cleaning it   if you don't keep it clean it will start leaking and causing problems  I said yeah whatever  normally they tell me they will have to order it and I wait a week or so before they let me know its in.

They make things now for OSA that is a lot better and safer /cleaner to use other than the Cpap  just things I read about and seen on TV ec,,,ect,,,I am going to check in on that.

 I agree with GB Army ,I am not one to reuse a C-PAP either  I think its just to many germs will spread and make things more complicated ...maybe that's their Ideal of killing us all off sooner than later  eh!

[GBArmy]

8 minutes ago, Buck52 said:

I wish the VA would come up with something other than the C-PAP to use and get updated on modern medicine and its technologies.

 

 

 

 

Buck52 OSA is serious; it means you are stopping to breath. Not a good situation; I learned very early in life that breathing is a good thing. Unfortunately, many veterans and people in general can't stand wearing the mask and just quit wearing it. Several of my friend have done so. It is a hasel and it is uncomfortable. But having a heart attack or stroke is uncomfortable too because you stopped breathing. I'll bet you had a hard time getting used to it; I sure did. Still don't like it, but as the saying goes: it beats the alternative.IMO