EMPOWERING SLEEP APNEA PATIENTS: THE LOCAL AND PERSONAL TOUCH OF APRIA

As sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) continue to affect millions of Americans, clinicians play a critical role in ensuring their patients receive the ongoing care and support needed to manage these chronic conditions. However, successful treatment of OSA requires more than just diagnosing the condition—it demands ongoing management, follow-up, and patient adherence to therapy. This is where reliable, trusted partners like Apria play a crucial role, offering comprehensive, personalized care that extends beyond equipment provision.

Apria Healthcare’s unique blend of national reach and local, personalized care ensures that sleep apnea patients not only receive the tools they need to manage their therapy but also benefit from ongoing, tailored support. This article highlights how Apria serves as an extension of the clinician's care team, providing services that enhance patient outcomes and help clinicians maintain continuous oversight of their patients' progress. 

NATIONAL REACH, LOCAL CARE:
A FOUNDATION FOR SLEEP APNEA SUCCESS 

With its extensive footprint across the United States, Apria is able to provide consistent, high-quality care nationwide. What sets Apria apart, however, is its commitment to local care. Each of Apria’s community-based branches is staffed by sleep coaches who offer personalized support tailored to each patient's needs. These local teams are more than just medical professionals—they are part of the communities they serve, bringing a deep understanding of local health challenges and providing flexible care options, including both in-person visits and virtual consultations. 

APRIA’S SLEEP COACHES:
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT AT EVERY STEP 

At the heart of Apria’s care model are its dedicated sleep coaches, who play a pivotal role in guiding patients through their sleep apnea journey. Unlike many other providers, Apria ensures that patients can always speak with a live person, whether over the phone or in person at a local branch. This immediate access to support helps patients overcome common challenges like mask discomfort or non-compliance. 

Apria’s sleep coaches are specially trained in motivational enhancement therapy, a counseling approach designed to increase patient engagement and improve adherence to treatment plans. They work directly with patients, offering personalized guidance and regular follow-ups, which significantly improves outcomes. 

In a study on sleep telemedicine, one veteran highlighted the common frustration with reaching support: “the only issue I’ve had is with trying to make appointments and getting hold of a real person on the phone.”¹ With Apria, this is not an issue—patients can always connect directly with a local team member, ensuring timely, personalized assistance that enhances both satisfaction and adherence. 

FLEXIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE CARE
OPTIONS FOR ALL PATIENTS

For sleep apnea patients, the ability to choose between virtual and in-person care is particularly important. Studies have shown that telemedicine is highly beneficial for managing sleep apnea, as it improves access to care and patient adherence while allowing for quicker follow-ups when issues arise.²

Apria’s flexible service model allows patients to select the care that best aligns with their lifestyle and needs. For example, patients can select from three CPAP setup options: 

• In-Person Setup: For those who prefer hands-on assistance, patients can visit their local Apria branch to receive personalized guidance from a sleep coach.
• Virtual Consultations: Patients can also opt for virtual consultations, allowing them to set up their CPAP machine from the comfort of their home, with real-time support from Apria’s experts.
• Self-Directed Setup: For tech-savvy patients, Apria offers a self-directed setup option, allowing patients to follow detailed guides and video tutorials to independently manage their CPAP therapy.

This flexibility is especially valuable for patients who travel frequently—such as “snowbirds” who split their time between different regions—as well as those living in rural areas with limited access to Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers. No matter where patients are, they can easily access assistance with their therapy, and because their full medical history is always accessible, they receive consistent, uninterrupted care across the country. 

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT:
THE APRIA SLEEP CARE PROGRAM 

At Apria, care doesn’t stop at setup. We are dedicated to empowering patients through continuous support, ensuring they remain compliant with their therapy and receive the resources they need for long-term success. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers play a critical role in maintaining CPAP compliance and addressing challenges early. Research shows that frequent contact—whether through phone calls, remote monitoring, or in-person visits—can significantly improve adherence rates and enhance the overall patient experience.³ 

The Apria Sleep Care Program

The Apria Sleep Care Program is built on best practices and industry-leading tools designed to help patients initiate and adhere to their CPAP therapy. From the moment patients begin their journey with Apria, they are supported by a dedicated team of sleep coaches. These professionals provide on-demand education and troubleshooting assistance, helping patients navigate challenges like mask discomfort or therapy adjustments.

• Month One: Apria’s sleep coaches are in constant contact with patients during the first month, a critical period for developing consistent CPAP habits. Patients receive reminders via email, text, or phone, and are encouraged to track their therapy progress using the manufacturer’s app, while Apria monitors adherence remotely.
• Month Two: Apria continues to provide remote monitoring of CPAP adherence data and shares this information with the patient’s physician regularly. This data-driven approach allows for early intervention, ensuring necessary adjustments are made promptly to optimize the patient’s therapy.
• Month Three and Beyond: To ensure long-term success, Apria enrolls patients in our Supplies on Schedule program, which ensures that their sleep therapy supplies are regularly updated. Our team also helps coordinate annual follow-ups with physicians to review therapy progress and update equipment as needed. 
• CPAP Refresh Program: Apria’s CPAP Refresh Program ensures patients receive upgraded machines every 3-5 years, ensuring patients continue receiving effective therapy without disruption. This proactive approach contributes to better patient outcomes and therapy adherence, offering clinicians peace of mind.

This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive not just equipment but ongoing, personalized support from the moment they leave the hospital and throughout their sleep therapy journey.

STRENGTHENING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY WELL-BEING:
THE APRIA DIFFERENCE

Apria’s local branches are more than just service providers—they are integral parts of the communities they serve. This local presence allows Apria to:

• Build Trust: By being a familiar and reliable presence in the community, Apria builds trust with patients and referral sources.
• Understand Local Needs: Each community has unique health challenges and needs. Apria’s local branches are attuned to these specifics, allowing them to provide more effective and personalized care.
• Enhance Patient Outcomes: The combination of national resources and local care ensures that patients receive the best possible treatment, helping support improved health outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

Apria Healthcare’s unique blend of national reach and local, personalized care makes it an ideal partner for clinicians and their patients. By offering a range of virtual and in-person options, empowering patients through personalized sleep care services, and tailoring the patient’s sleep journey to meet the needs of diverse demographics, Apria stands out as a provider that truly puts patients first. As you consider referral options for your patients, remember that with Apria, you’re not just choosing a healthcare provider—you’re selecting a trusted partner dedicated to empowering both your patients and your clinical practice by encouraging long-term adherence and improved patient outcomes. 

Sources

1. Nicosia, F. M., Kaul, B., Totten, A. M., Silvestrini, M. C., Williams, K., Whooley, M. A., & Sarmiento, K. F. (2021). Leveraging Telehealth to improve access to care: a qualitative evaluation of Veterans’ experience with the VA TeleSleep program. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06080-5 
2. Alsaif, S. S., Kelly, J. L., Little, S., Pinnock, H., Morrell, M. J., Polkey, M. I., & Murphie, P. (2022). Virtual consultations for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Respiratory Review, 31(166). https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0180-2022 
3. Hwang, D., Chang, J. W., Benjafield, A. V., Crocker, M. E., Kelly, C., Becker, K. A., Kim, J. B., Woodrum, R. R., Liang, J., & Derose, S. F. (2018). Effect of Telemedicine Education and Telemonitoring on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence. The Tele-OSA Randomized Trial. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 197(1), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201703-0582oc