Home Forums Discussions Problems Midmark Spirometer results

We just obtained the Midmark Spirometer. Sweet little thing. One problem though.

I calibrated the spirometer, then did a test. When i printed out the test results, it said that the spirometer had never been calibrated. I've done this a couple of times in the last few days since we got it. So, any idea why its not saving my calibration data and including it in the reports? Is it a bug, or is there a setting I've missed?

Are you using the device thru AC or directly with the MidMark-Ritter software? If you are using AC have you installed the MidMark software at least on the server or the machine that is interfacing (USB) with the device itself? I believe that the software needs to be installed at least on the server. Also, does the machine you are using have the proper license number entered for the MidMark software?I have installed the MidMark software on both the server and the laptop that Nancy uses in the examroom as well. But since I bought her a new laptop we need to use the old laptop the MidMark rep set-up to be able to save a test to the laptop and the MidMark software and that laptops own MidMark data file. We can still save tests done on the new laptop if performed thru the AC interface. Those attach to the patient file in the typical AC way on the server. So I'm wondering if I missed a setup issue like a license number when setting up the new laptop a year ago now.

If you are having AC interface problems but can perform valid tests on a laptop you can import via copy and pasting them to the proper AC chart later. They'll be "car" files and I've done this before. I'm even thinking of going back to always performing the tests on the original software first, because one can backup the MidMark data folder with all the patients laid out in their proper alphabetical order on whatever machine you use, then use the import feature in the imported items section to copy and paste them with a small external drive over to the server and attach them to the patient's chart. Now the test is saved in both file systems and you can regularly back up both as well. And just in case you need to switch platforms later on for what ever reason, now the tests are saved in both places. I do like the alphabetic order back up. Just search thru the thing by name and there is the file(s) you need.

I learned this because we had the equipment way before Jon designed the interface and so later on I went back and imported many of the old tests to the proper patient files when the interface became availible. Furthermore no matter where your files are you can copy them to a thumb drive for the patient to take to another office that has the same software to see your test results. I believe they can even be emailed? But email may or maynot be completely HIPAA. Also, Nancy has taken the ECG on the road with her for housecalls and performed bedside tests that I have later imported as well, because we have the software running on the laptop as well. This was way before any mention of SYNC as well. Just thought of a good question. How to run test from inside AC with a laptop outside of the office to be SYNC'ed later. Do you need to install the MidMark software on the traveling laptop?

Unfortunately, we are having trouble getting patients to step up to the plate and have us run many spirometeries. I'm not even sure we have paid the thing off after 2 1/2 years. But the ECG we use all the time. Anyone notice how we buy expensive EMR compliant devices, pay to interface these devices with our EMR's, only to have Medicare (and therefore most of the other private carriers too) cuts the fee on a 93000? This is insane.

I'm using the spirometer directly on AC. I had at first installed the s/w on the laptop, but the Midmark tech support guys said "That will be unstable. Remove our software if you are going to use the AC integration/interface feature." So I did.

AC tech support said that they didn't look for and save calibration results--just the patient results from a test. I e-mailed a request that they add this because when the result prints out and says "Sensor Calibrated: NO" it appears we don't properly maintain our equipment. Don't need to leave an opening like that in case of a malpractice suit.

GHI hss a $15 copay on EKGs and Spirometry. In addition to the regular office visit copay. Ain't that a blip?