Orientation and sleep apnea

ask this company directly. Each will be different. Likely be some sort of survey. Be HONEST!!!!

I have it, let me tell you, life is soo much better with it treated than not.

 

Second that. Contact companies before you start school. Know each ones requirement.

CPAP user since October, 2007. For me, it was quite possibly a life-saver.

 

The reason they check has two parts.
1. There is a liability issue
2. There is a safety issue.

Now because sleep apnea can be treated successfully, it is illegal for them to fire you solely because you have sleep apnea. Now on the other hand if you have sleep apnea and are not complaint on treatment that is another matter.

Also I believe I am right. However, the only test that they can report to DOT of failure is a drug test.


Gary

 

Usually the way it plays out is you have to disclose it on your DOT physical if you have been diagnosed with it.

Everytime you go to the Respitory Therapist and they print out your card, they will stamp it "Compliant" or "Non-compliant" based on the number of hours you used it each night. I think there is a 4 hour minimum.

Your company can't play doctor with your compliance report. Nor does the DOT keep track of it. Only a DOT physician can deem you medically disqualified. All you have to do is pass that first one and you're good to your next physical which will probably be reduced to one year.

If you are non-compliant, the RT will probably ask you to come back in one month.

If you are a new hire and are required to do a sleep study and fail prior to a physical, you'll probably be sent home until you do get compliant. Compliance doesn't happen overnight, but 4-6 week intervals. It all depends on the company and whether you do the physical first or the sleep study first. I've seen companies just consider getting the machine being compliant. I've seen DOT physicals just ask if you use it and don't ask for proof of a compliance report.

For the most part, about 95% can get compliant with no problem. There are some that can't wear a CPAP for one reason or another. Those, they try a BiPap and possibly surgery.

This is all new to the industry and they don't have all their ducks in a row yet.

 

Some Comments here:

It is never recommended that anyone give a DOT any information about your Sleep Apnea, except for the fact you have it and a letter from your treating Doc that states that you are compliant with your treatment.

Also the definition of compliant is using the machine 70% of the nights for at least 4 hrs.