Many Durable Medical Equipment Providers claim to have superior service for their patients. At SomniHealth, we have tangible reasons to know we provide unparalleled support. Our business is structured completely around patient care, with specific programs designed to maximize use of the therapeutic equipment. Our caring and sympathetic staff has sleep apnea and uses CPAP themselves, so patients build a level of trust with their equipment provider that is rarely seen.
SomniHealth’s offices are located centrally in the Bay Area. We are next to one of the bridges leading into the Island City of Alameda, just off of Rte 880. We even provide free pick up and drop off service to and from the nearby BART station. In keeping with our patient-centric focus, evening and weekend appointments are available to accommodate the needs of busy professionals. For those who find it inconvenient to come to SomniHealth, home visits can be arranged.
There is a three-step process in getting adjusted to living with CPAP or BiLevel, and SomniHealth offers the finest service at all phases:
- Step 1 - Equipment Set Up
- Step 2 - The Critical First Month
- Step 3 - Ongoing Care
Step 1 - Equipment Set Up
Comfort and knowledge are the keys to success in adapting one’s life to using CPAP or BiLevel. SomniHealth applies this principle right from the initial phone call. We take the time to explain the entire process to prospective patients, and unlike our competitors, we are unafraid to give patients a written estimate of the likely costs involved.
We feature a large patient consultation room where hands-on comparisons of devices and masks can be made. Since CPAP affects not only the patient, but also the bed partner, children, and even grandchildren, we have enough room so that an entire family can participate in the education about CPAP and selection of equipment. The patient room has a European Sleepworks bed that allows patients to lie down with an Oxygen Pillow and test mask fit in positions actually used, rather than sitting in a chair. They can test out CFlex, EPR and standard CPAP to see if these optional features are important for them. Sometimes, we even set up a “sound-off,” so patients and bed partners can test the noise levels of the various models.
Most importantly, we do not rush. We’ll take as much time as necessary (usually about 90 minutes) to be sure that the patient thoroughly understands why the equipment is needed, how to maintain it, and offer first-hand tips and tricks for success.
Only Top-of-the-Line Models are Provided
We offer CPAP and BiLevel equipment from the top manufacturers – ResMed, Respironics, Fisher & Paykel and many others. SomniHealth works actively with these manufacturers to advance the state of the art for CPAP and BiLevel devices. We believe that the development of data-collecting models offers an important window into the health and well-being of our patients. We want to make sure that all our patients can take advantage of this capability, so lesser-capable models are simply not available at SomniHealth. These high-end devices are sold at no additional cost to the patient.
Step Two – The Critical First Month
Countless studies have shown that the first thirty days are absolutely critical to long-term success with CPAP. At SomniHealth, we offer unlimited follow-up contact during the first month of service to advise, adjust, and encourage patients towards success. Every patient is informed of our mask exchange policy, which allows limitless no-cost exchanges on masks till the one that works is found. We stay in touch with our patients by phone, email, and in person and encourage them to make follow-up visits with both SomniHealth and the referring physician.
ResTraxx – A Revolution in Patient Monitoring
For those patients who select ResMed devices, SomniHealth is proud to offer ResTraxx, a wireless, web-based patient monitoring system that provides daily data from the device via an encrypted wireless network and the Internet. If desired, patients can receive ResTraxx monitoring at no additional cost for a period of one month. This allows SomniHealth and the referring physician to gain insight into compliance, mask leak, and AHI events on a daily basis, without the need for a patient visit or a direct download from the ResMed CPAP/BiLevel. This proactive monitoring allows issues to be addressed as they arise, rather than waiting for a patient complaint.
Detailed one-month follow-up report
As part of the device setup, all SomniHealth patients are expected to return at the one month mark for a follow-up visit, which accomplishes the following:
First post-CPAP Epworth Sleepiness Scale score
Data download and interpretation
Finalization of mask choice
Maintenance check on device and accessories, providing retraining if needed.
Questionnaire on quality of life since using CPAP
One on one forum to discuss any issues regarding CPAP use
This information is summarized in a standardized form that is shared with the referring physician to keep you apprised of the patient’s progress.
Step Three - Ongoing Care
SomniHealth’s role does not end at one month; this marks the beginning of the ongoing relationship between DME and patient that is so often neglected. Using email and database technology, SomniHealth will maintain contact with patients, providing reminders for supply replacements, news about new products, and general information about the evolving world of sleep apnea. Patients will be encouraged to make annual maintenance visits to make sure their treatment continues to be effective.
For the referring physician, this means you will be informed of the patient’s progress with every follow up visit. You can expect reports summarizing:
Revised Epworth scores
Summary of equipment being used
Compliance information
Detailed data from device
Interpretation of results and outcome tracking for patient’s treatment
Access to summary information on all patients referred to SomniHealth
