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CPAP and its Benefits

Resmed S9 Escape CPAP UnitContinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea offers many benefits to the patient. Immediately upon initiation of therapy, the patient may feel more rested and energetic, especially if he/she presented symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness. Snoring is eliminated with CPAP therapy, which frequently results in improved sleep for the bed partner as well as the patient. In addition to quality of life improvements for both the patient and family members, effective CPAP therapy has been demonstrated to positively affect cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes.

Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes with CPAP

Studies show that sleep apnea may contribute to the genesis and/or progression of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke and mortality. Treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP has been shown to improve cardiovascular function.
- Effective treatment of sleep apnea with CPAP leads to a significant reduction in blood pressure. Mean reduction was 10 mm Hg1, which correlates with the reduction seen with some anti-hypertensive drugs.
- CPAP therapy is associated with a reduction in risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.
- CPAP treatment of sleep apnea has been shown to reduce the risk of new vascular events in stroke patients.

Glycemic Control with CPAP

CPAP therapy may help patients better manage their diabetes. Published findings show:
- Within two days of treatment, CPAP therapy significantly improved insulin sensitivity in patients with sleep apnea.
- In patients with type 2 diabetes, postprandial glucose levels and HbA1c levels were reduced after ~3 months of CPAP therapy.

Adherence to CPAP Therapy

As with all medical treatments, adherence to therapy is critical. Preliminary studies have indicated that achieving optimal cardiovascular and metabolic benefits from CPAP therapy requires at least 4 hours of use per night.

Pro2 LLC CPAP and Supplies Buffalo and WNY

Benefits of Therapy. HealthySleep. Retrieved February 10, 2014 from http://www.healthysleep.com/benefits-of-therapy/.

Winter & COPD

Proper Scarf Wear for COPD PatientsAlthough we're still at the beginning of 2014, we've already experienced some extremely cold, windy days.

Winter can be difficult for people with COPD. The cold air and wind are often a problem. A person with COPD may experience shortness of breath and could fatigue easily.

If you or someone you know has COPD, it's best to avoid exposure to inclement weather. But if you have to venture out, here are some tips that may help:
1) Wear a scarf or mask and try to breathe through your nose to warm the air you're breathing.
2) Wear several layers of loose-fitting garments so as not to constrict your breathing but allow protection against the cold.
3) If you're using oxygen, keep your tubing inside your clothes to warm the air.
4) Try to limit exposure to the cold as much as possible and not over-exert yourself.
5) Call your doctor and seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms of infection such as increased shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, or coughing, fever, or chills.

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Documentation Requirements for DME

Pro2 LLC Buffalo NY FilesIt's important for both physicians and patients to understand the documentation requirements for ordering Durable Medical Equipment. These requirements have become more stringent, resulting in an increase in claim denials. If a claim is denied, the patient may have to assume financial responsibility or return the equipment to the supplier.

Our goal is to help physicians better understand the documentation requirements to ensure patients get the equipment and services they need. The following information should be documented in the patient’s medical record prior to ordering durable medical equipment:
- Duration of patient’s condition
- Clinical course
- Prognosis
- Nature and extent of functional limitations
- Other therapeutic interventions and results

The following items should also be addressed in the patient’s medical record:
- Why does the patient require the item?
- Do the physical examination findings support the need for the item?
- Signs and symptoms that indicate the need for the item
- Diagnoses that are responsible for the signs and symptoms
- Other diagnoses that may relate to the need for the item

If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact Pro2 at 716-667-9600.
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Oxygen Back-up Plans

Oxygen Backup Cylinders Pro2 LLC Buffalo NYHere are some things to keep in mind this winter season:

- If you're on home oxygen, make sure you know how to operate your back-up “E” cylinder in case there is a power outage. If you have any questions about this or can't remember how to operate it, just give us a call!

- Do you have a back-up plan in place? You should! Power outages in this area can be widespread (as seen in the October Storm in 2006) or localized (think the blizzard just earlier this month). Be sure to make arrangements with friends and family members before a storm hits. Stay in touch with them via cell phone during the storm.

- If you do lose power call Pro2 to put us on alert. If you'll be out of power longer than your back-up supply will last, you'll need to get to a friend/family member's house that has power or an emergency shelter. It's important that you take your concentrator with you.

- While snow and cold temperatures present obstacles, as long as you're home with food, heat, and a back-up plan in place you can ride them out.

- Save your portable cylinders is case you have to leave your home for some unexpected reason.

Feel free to call us if you have any questions about this or have tips for others you would like to pass along.

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Universal Fittings for PAP Supplies

Quattro For Her Exploded View CPAP MaskMany patients are receiving new supplies for their PAP machine only to get those supplies home and discover the mask doesn’t seem to fit the tubing or the tubing doesn’t fit the unit!

This problem is occurring because manufacturers now make the masks with a quick disconnect. This is to allow you to leave the mask on should you need to get up in the middle of the night- to make a trip to the bathroom, for example.

However, when new supplies are introduced many forget that the quick disconnect is still stuck in the tubing. Both the tubing and this part are usually gray, which makes it appear as one unit. All masks and tubing have a universal fitting, so there should never be a problem with attaching the two together. The easiest way to remove this small part is to pretend you're breaking them apart and remove it at an angle.

If you're still having a problem please call our office and ask for the Respiratory Department. We're happy to help!
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