Compliance is the measurement of how much you are using your CPAP machine and how well it is working for you. If your CPAP machine is covered by insurance, they will want to know this information to ensure that you are receiving all of the benefits from your CPAP therapy. Continue reading to find out more about CPAP compliance.
Importance of CPAP Compliance
CPAP compliance reports are crucial in understanding how well your CPAP therapy is working for you and it is important for you to know and understand the data that comes from your report. Not only does the compliance report help you and your doctor monitor the effectiveness of your CPAP, but it is also required to send to your insurance company and sometimes your employer or the government, depending on how your CPAP machine is being paid for. Insurance companies want to know whether the machine will benefit your health and whether it is consistently being used.
The standard for compliance is using your CPAP 70% of nights and at least 4 hours each night it is being used. Even though this is the standard compliance requirement, you will maximize the benefits of CPAP therapy by using it every night and all night. Consistently utilizing your CPAP machine will help you increase the quality of your sleep and will help you get more sleep each night, along with many other health benefits.
Understanding Compliance Reports
Your compliance reports will show you data that has been collected while using your CPAP machine. It collects a lot of information that could be confusing to understand. Here are a few key points that will help you understand the CPAP data from your compliance report:
1. AHI
- An apnea is when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat temporarily relax and the airway collapses. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is a measure of how many apnea events occur during the night.
2. Leaks
- It is important to pay attention to any leaks that are shown in your compliance report as they can affect your overall compliance score, even if you are using your CPAP every night. When measuring leaks, it collects data in liters per minute of air escaping from your mask or tubing.
3. Pressure
- CPAP therapy is continuous positive airway pressure therapy, and pressure is a key factor in ensuring that your CPAP therapy is effective. Pressure is what helps keep your airway from collapsing while you are asleep. Usually, your compliance report will show your average pressure throughout the night.
4. Usage
- One of the last big important factors that go into your compliance report and score is how often you are using your CPAP machine. The machine can track how often you are using your CPAP and if you are wearing it each night.
Overall, understanding your CPAP compliance reports is essential in ensuring that you are receiving all the benefits of your CPAP therapy. If you find that you are not CPAP compliant and are experiencing discomfort or any other issues with your CPAP device, contact our team today. We are happy to answer any questions!