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Sleep Apnea and Hospitals
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Post Sleep Apnea and Hospitals 
I have severe Sleep Apnea, am using machines for 2 .5 years. I wonder what are the choices when
one goes into hospital. My father among others I know had things stolen from their rooms.
I would hate to bring my Sleep Apnea machine to hospital and have it stolen.

And what happens when a person goes to hospital unconsious??
I see that they can put a hole in your throat to facilitate breathing, like they did for the Pope.

Any opinions.??
Thanks


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you could ask the hospital if they could supply you with  CPAP set at your pressure while you are there


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If you are concerned about going to the hospital unconscious without CPAP you should wear a medical alert bracelet to ensure the doctors and nurses know of your OSA condition if you are not in a state to tell them yourself.

If you are going to the hospital for surgery made sure both you doctor and the anesthesiologist know of your OSA.  In any event, discuss with your doctor and hospital administration regarding the use of your own CPAP or if they have one to lend you.  I think most people bring their own (just a gut feeling based on what I've read).  Certainly, their own mask.
If you do bring your own I would make sure the hospital notes it on your admission form and the floor nurses know this equipment is yours.  I would also very clearly label it as PERSONAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.  The danger in mind mind is less a theft than someone on the hospital staff inadvertently removing it because they think the hospital owns it.  It happened to my wife when she brought her own set of crutches to the hospital.


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My local hospital prohibited bringing in my own CPAP machine and the CPAP they provided was a huge constant pressure piece of !@#!.

Be sure to find out what your hospital allows before you check in.


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While I have not been hospitalized, my husband, also a cpaper, has on several occassions been admitted, to various hospitals.  In all cases, we were instructed to bring his own equipment.  I also found that very very few nurses know anything about cpap, how to put the mask on, what it really does etc...so having a family member with you that can be sure it is correctly applied how and when you need it is a must.
  I have had nurses make such silly silly statements as, "oh, he has oxygen, it does the same thing" - NO!! O2 cannot pressurize the airway to prevent obstructions!!  and finding my husband back sleeping, sedated, and snoring/choking...a nurse stated " doesn't he only need cpap at night?"  to which I replied...the position of the sun has no bearing on airway collapse!"  However, sedaton and back sleeping position DOES!  If he is asleep, especially medicated, he Must wear it sun-up or sun-down!!  
  They also do not know anything about how to route the cpap thru a heated humidifier, how to adjust the mask for leaks, etc. don't even expect them to know that you can add O2, if ordered, to the cpap thru a bleed in connector....and anything they don't understand....they say they must call in an RT...to ask them, and if the RT is "off duty" they will check with him tomorrow....hey too little too late!!

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