The ASA has launched a brand new service to the CPAP industry – the CPAP Provider Competency Program. It offers CPAP providers an independent industry-wide education program for CPAP professionals who initiate and maintain patients on CPAP therapy.
“This program is a way for CPAP providers to demonstrate their commitment to high quality CPAP services by supporting independent and evidence-based education for their critical frontline workers,” said ASA CEO, Marcia Balzer.
“The CPAP Readiness Course is the centre of the program. This is an on-demand course that provides the necessary basic information about sleep, sleep apnoea and CPAP therapy to help new starters build their knowledge while working effectively from the start of their role.”
The CPAP Readiness Course was developed by a working group of ASA sleep experts and representatives of commercial CPAP providers. It’s available through the ASA Learning Centre or under licence to participating employers to make available to staff through their own learning management system.
Referrers and patients will be able to search for CPAP providers who participate in the Program through a public online directory on the ASA website. Participating providers will also be able to promote their participation in their marketing activities.
“ASA is providing this program to the industry as one of the ways we meet our mission: Lead and promote sleep health and sleep science, provide professional development for members, foster research and establish clinical standards,” says Marcia Balzer.
“Our research with the industry prior to developing the program showed significant support for the concept, so we look forward to working more closely with CPAP providers through this program in the years ahead.”
“We encourage members to start asking their CPAP providers whether they’ve considered joining the program. And as the program gets up and running, hopefully this will be a routine question before referring patients to providers.”
Source: Australasian Sleep Association
