
Overview
Your doctor has prescribed PAP therapy because you have been
diagnosed with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when a person
repeatedly stops breathing for 10 or more seconds at a time while
sleeping. These events may occur hundreds of times throughout the
night, causing oxygen levels in the blood to drop, putting stress on
the heart. If left untreated, sleep apnea is linked to many other serious
conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and
stroke.
This guide contains easy step-by-step instructions for using your
PAP equipment, and is designed to help you benefit from therapy as
soon as your equipment arrives. Please watch the sleep apnea video
on the enclosed DVD and review the manufacturer’s user guides
along with the other educational materials that were included with
your equipment. The sleep apnea video can also be found on Apria
Healthcare’s website at www.apria.com/resource-center in the
“Video Library” section located at the bottom of the screen. Additional
information is also available at www.apria.com/sleep-apnea.
Your Device and Settings
A licensed Apria clinician has programmed your PAP machine with
the settings prescribed by your physician. If your doctor recommends
changes to your PAP settings, please notify Apria Healthcare
immediately, so that the clinician can make any necessary adjustments.
Make sure your home address can be easily seen from the street
during both day and night.
If you are expecting a night delivery or visit, turn on the porch light.
Check to see that your address numbers are easy to spot and read
from the street. This will allow all Apria Healthcare and emergency
services to locate your residence easily.
Follow Emergency and Natural Disaster Instructions
In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, follow the radio or
television instructions of your local authorities.