3 Common Challenges to Managing CPAP Compliance

Charles Dickens famously wrote, “…it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” in his classic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”.

While a perfect introduction to that story, this phrase can also be applied to PAP therapy.

In the world of managing OSA, PAP therapy is the best of therapies – because it is (almost) always clinically effective in treating sleep apnea. However, It is also the worst of treatments because it is so difficult for the patient to tolerate.

Managing this therapy and helping an OSA patient get over that threshold to where they feel the benefit, can often be challenging.  Here are a few of the most common challenges that we all face…

1. Patient Education

No one likes wearing a CPAP mask, so it’s important for the OSA patient to fully understand the long term and compelling benefits of successfully treating their sleep apnea.

The problem is, historically, our industry does not educate.  Sure, we explain why and how CPAP treats OSA – once, and typically to a sleep deprived and hesitant patient.  That is, however, not how people learn.  People learn through repetition and through varying themes that make similar points.

Without proper education, your patient’s probability of success decreases significantly.

2. Proactive Problem Solving

Any problem that lingers on, is more likely to never be solved.  This is true in life, and just as true in CPAP management.  Solve your problems as soon as they occur and they will not fester, is the rule.

“Easy to say” might be your response…and that is even more true when one considers what it would take to be on top of every patient, every day and proactively address their issues before they even know they exist.  Solve this issue and you will significantly increase your patient’s probability of success!

3. Patient empowerment

There is no treatment for any disease that has much chance of success without the patient taking charge of their own health.  They, and no one else, are there 24/7 when they are facing the inevitable challenges of skin irritation, anxiety, or any number of other challenges.

To empower our patients, we need to give them the tools to succeed.  Leaving them to find the right content on YouTube or elsewhere, is not empowering them to succeed.

Transform Patient Care and Boost Your Profitability

Discover the power of enhanced patient care with our TherapistAssist™ Jeanie Compliance Management Solution and learn how our solution:

1. Educates the patient regularly on the benefit of treating their sleep disorder.

2. Proactively monitors usage, apneic events, and mask leak daily. Jeanie provides positive affirmations when the patient is succeeding and proactive encouragements when they are having problems – and brings a live, experienced sleep coach and respiratory therapist to the patient if they need further assistance

3. Empowers the patient with common sense tips to manage their treatment which is specific to their exact equipment and payor rules, delivered right to their smart phone 24x7x365.