Resmed S8 Escape - data questions

[KSMatthew]

A buddy of mine has an old Resmed S8 Escape.  He was asking me about getting detailed compliance data from it.  He said he can see "usage hours" and "compliance days", probably on the front display.  My understanding of his explanation is that he has a total hours counter, and a display that shows days >4 hrs / total days used.  He's trying to calculate some compliance data from those numbers, but for his purposes I don't think that's going to work.

From what I've been able to find - the S8 used a proprietary data card that requires a card reader, then another proprietary ResMed report software that has to be installed into a Windows PC.

Is this the way that CPAP worked?

I don't think his CPAP has that data card, so he probably won't be able to get any detailed info anyway.

[srlevine1]

The key takeaway is: you cannot report the data that has not has been recorded.

There is an alternate way to grab the daily information (if you do not use a card/card reader) from the machine using the USB Adapter available from Vendor #1 (see above Supplier List in the top header) and cost about $55 and is described as …

The ResScan™ USB Adapter for ResMed S8™ and S8™ II Series Machines is designed for use with all ResMed S8 and S8 II series CPAP machines.
This package includes a USB Cable and ResScan Adapter with USB Port. Connect the ResScan Adapter to the back of an S8 or S8II CPAP machine. Next, connect the CPAP machine directly to an open USB port on any Windows personal computer using the supplied USB Cable. Begin downloading therapy data simply and easily without the use of a Smart Card or Card Reader.

It does not include the proprietary ResScan software, but that shouldn't be a problem for users of this forum. It might be a problem for a hardcore Mac use without a way to run a Windows program.

I used to download data each day. The report shows:

Total usage:
Used Days > 4 hrs.; Use Days < 4 hrs.; % Used Days >= 4 hrs.; Total hours used; Median daily used; Average daily usage.

Respiratory Indices
Apnea Index, Hypopnea Index; AHI; % time in Apnea

Leak - L/sec;
Median; 95th Percentile; Maximum

Pressure:
Median; 95th Percentile; Maximum

And the graphs that accompany the data are provided if the detail data is available.

After capturing the data for a period of time, you can select the time span you wish to use for your report.

Hope this helps.

[KSMatthew]

Thanks. Yes, that does help. He knows that if things haven't been recorded it can't be reported. He's trying to get detailed data starting as soon as possible so he can get 90 days worth to meet a deadline. I think he going to get a new CPAP anyway, maybe in 2-3 weeks, but we were hoping to get a head start on data.

Without a card, do you have to download every day?

[Sleeprider]

The Escape simply does not produce efficacy data in either the CPAP or Auto CPAP version for both S8 and S9. This is what differentiates it from the other models Resmed produced. No matter what you do to pull the data off the machine, you will only get general hours of use compliance data. There is no AHI, to be obtained. The Escape did not make it to the Airsense series, but the data "brick" is the CPAP model and an AirStart series that has also been discontinued. There is no data, and no way to get it without getting a loaner that actually does produce data.

FWIW, a brand new Airsense 10 Autoset is advertised by a Seattle distributor in your KC Craigslist at $595. This distributor pretty widely advertises in Craigslist and is one of the least expensive ways to source a machine. Do not buy the CPAP model at $495 or no data again.

[KSMatthew]

Thanks for the extra info.

My buddy has had an S8 since 2009. It died about 6 months ago and he pulled out a spare S8 that he's had laying around for a long time. He has a sleep doc appointment beginning of Oct, and his plan is to get a new CPAP after that visit so he will have a current and updated prescription for treatment settings.

He, like me, is a pilot. But he's been lapsed for 25 years and is trying to get back into it. FAA requires an annual data report, but they will give a break to first timers with OSA. He's going to be a first-timer because his OSA diagnosis came after he stopped flying. They want as much data as you can provide, preferably 90 days. In his case, it sounds more and more like he's not going to be able to start recording anything at all until he gets a new CPAP. He was trying to get a jump on things between now and when he does get something besides his brick. FAA requirements are slightly different than insurance compliance requirements and Sleepyhead is an accepted reporting s/w. They want > 6hrs /night each (not average) for a total of 75% nights / yr.

[Sleeprider]

Considering the need for data sooner than later, and frankly the reasonable cost of just buying a machine outright, it makes no sense to wait around for an October sleep appointment, insurance approval and DME suppliers to get their act together. Going that route will consume at least 2-months before issuance of a machine, assuming the sleep doc does not require a test, which could double that. The better route would be to get an immediate prescription for Auto CPAP from his GP, which can be immediately filled through self-finance or insurance. He has a documented need for CPAP, there is no need to see a sleep doctor specialist to get a script. Almost invariably, they want another diagnostic or titration study, even though an Auto CPAP can provide all the data needed to optimize therapy within a day or two of receipt.

I don't see any reason that a person with a history of diagnosed OA and use of a CPAP can't use their primary physician to turn-around a prescription in a day or two. Using that script with an in-network DME is the fast track to machine issuance, but even that will take a month of back and forth between insurance, DME and the doctor. To me, buy a machine, and retire it to backup once insurance comes through.

[KSMatthew]

Considering the need for data sooner than later, and frankly the reasonable cost of just buying a machine outright, it makes no sense to wait around for an October sleep appointment, insurance approval and DME suppliers to get their act together.  Going that route will consume at least 2-months before issuance of a machine, assuming the sleep doc does not require a test, which could double that.  The better route would be to get an immediate prescription for Auto CPAP from his GP, which can be immediately filled through self-finance or insurance.  He has a documented need for CPAP, there is no need to see a sleep doctor specialist to get a script.  Almost invariably, they want another diagnostic or titration study, even though an Auto CPAP can provide all the data needed to optimize therapy within a day or two of receipt.

I don't see any reason that a person with a history of diagnosed OA and use of a CPAP can't use their primary physician to turn-around a prescription in a day or two.  Using that script with an in-network DME is the fast track to machine issuance, but even that will take a month of back and forth between insurance, DME and the doctor.  To me, buy a machine, and retire it to backup once insurance comes through.

I've explained that to him, but I think he's hesitant to go out on his own until he has a chance to talk with his doc.   He'll figure something out and be OK, but we were both hoping he'd be able to get a head start.  After 25 years, another few months of waiting will be easy.  Until then, he will still be able to fly but will need an instructor with him, and after 25 years he will need that extra training anyway to get signed off again.

[srlevine1]

Thanks.  Yes, that does help.  He knows that if things haven't been recorded it can't be reported.  He's trying to get detailed data starting as soon as possible so he can get 90 days worth to meet a deadline.  I think he going to get a new CPAP anyway, maybe in 2-3 weeks, but we were hoping to get a head start on data.

Without a card, do you have to download every day?

I downloaded the data each day because I am a techie and set up a "chron" event schedule to do it. However, you can do it every five days if you want the detailed data or every 30 days for the summary data. 

Here is the authoritative reference guide to the data and what is stored ...

https://www.resmed.com/us/dam/documents/...er_eng.pdf

Best.

[srlevine1]

I've explained that to him, but I think he's hesitant to go out on his own until he has a chance to talk with his doc.   He'll figure something out and be OK, but we were both hoping he'd be able to get a head start.  After 25 years, another few months of waiting will be easy.  Until then, he will still be able to fly but will need an instructor with him, and after 25 years he will need that extra training anyway to get signed off again. 

A tip -- Because OSA can be associated with AFIB (http://resources.hrsonline.org/pdf/patie...nea_R3.pdf) or other arrhythmias ... get a cardiogram done by a non-FAA doctor to check for heart arrhythmias that could compromise his new license. (https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/hea.../amd/afib/)

[KSMatthew]

I've explained that to him, but I think he's hesitant to go out on his own until he has a chance to talk with his doc.   He'll figure something out and be OK, but we were both hoping he'd be able to get a head start.  After 25 years, another few months of waiting will be easy.  Until then, he will still be able to fly but will need an instructor with him, and after 25 years he will need that extra training anyway to get signed off again. 

A tip -- Because OSA can be associated with AFIB (http://resources.hrsonline.org/pdf/patie...nea_R3.pdf) or other arrhythmias ... get a cardiogram done by a non-FAA doctor to check for heart arrhythmias that could compromise his new license. (https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/hea.../amd/afib/)

Nope.  Don't do that.  Don't ever do anything more than is required.  You are required to report every visit to a medical professional for the last 3 years.  Seeing a cardiologist for a cardiogram must be reported, and then FAA is going to want to know why, and where is our copy of the results so we can look through it and maybe find a reason to take away your medical (ground you, possibly permanently)?

For OSA the requirement is you provide a doctor's note saying you are compliant (backed up by the machine report), a doctor's note saying your treatment is effective (backed up by a statement that says, "No excessive daytime sleepiness"), and it's recommended, but not required, to add a statement that says "no right side heart abnormalities noted" or something to that effect.  This has to be done on an annual basis, but there are exceptions.

That link you included is only if you have a history of AFIB.  Your family doc will normally be listening for that during a routine physical anyway.  If he doesn't hear something funny, there's nothing to report, and if there's nothing to report then leave well enough alone.

One of the good things, I think, that FAA has done over the last 3-5 years has been to minimize the impact that an OSA diagnosis has on pilots.  In the past, way too many of us were reluctant to get a sleep study.  "If it isn't diagnosed, then I don't have it" mentality.  They've simplified the clearance process, and I think it's finally being more accepted by the individuals...it isn't perfect, but it's getting better.