PAP orders: adherence data and proof of education
What every PAP order needs before it can move forward: adherence data access for Synapse Health and proof of patient education at setup.
This article applies to every positive airway pressure (PAP) order, including CPAP and BiPAP, that you fulfill for Synapse Health. It brings together the requirements from the September Network Memo, the DME Provider handbook and the clinical programs articles in one place.
1. Adherence data for Synapse Health, in one of two ways: give Synapse Health access to the patient in the device manufacturer’s platform, or provide a compliant adherence download.
2. Proof of education for every new PAP setup.
Tagging Synapse Health on the patient’s care team at setup is the simplest way to cover the adherence requirement.
Adherence data
Manufacturer constraints prevent Synapse Health from adding or tagging itself in PAP compliance platforms, and we cannot tag prescribers either. That step has to come from you.
Option 1: Platform access (recommended)
When you set up the patient, add Synapse Health to their care team in the device manufacturer’s cloud platform. Synapse Health only needs read-only access to review therapy data. You keep control of the patient record, prescription settings and device management.
- Supported platforms include ResMed AirView, React Health (React Connect), BREAS EveryWare, Philips Care Orchestrator and Löwenstein prisma CLOUD.
- Search for “Synapse Health” exactly as written. Where a platform asks for an email, use respiratory@synapsehealth.com.
- Grant the most limited view-only access the platform offers.
For step-by-step instructions for each platform, see Add Synapse Health to sleep and ventilation patient care teams.
Option 2: Compliant adherence download
If you cannot give platform access, provide a compliant adherence download to Synapse Health.
Proof of education
Proof of education is required for all new PAP setups. Use the Virtual CPAP Home Safety Assessment and Patient Education form, which is also available in the Deliver portal. Your own form is acceptable if it meets compliance requirements.
The form confirms that the patient was educated on:
- Home safety, including electrical safety and what to do during a power outage
- Mask selection and fit
- Device setup, features, cleaning and maintenance
- Compliance guidelines, including the face-to-face physician re-evaluation between days 31 and 91 after starting therapy
- Troubleshooting and what to do if the device malfunctions
- Periodic contact from Synapse Health sleep coaches during the 90-day compliance period, and how to order supplies
Complete both the trainer and patient signatures, with dates, before you submit the form.
Ongoing adherence
If you perform adherence monitoring for CPAP or BiPAP patients by agreement with Synapse Health, you must give Synapse Health access to the adherence data and address non-adherence through ongoing patient education. Synapse Health tracks CPAP and BiPAP adherence as a network performance measure: the percentage of patients with continuous use for the first three therapy months.
If extended non-adherence makes the equipment ineligible for coverage, notify Synapse Health. Payment may be suspended until compliance resumes.
Questions
Sleep program support: 1.888.683.9350 or sleep.program@synapsehealth.com.