Victoria-Public Hospitals, Policy and Funding Guideline 1997-1998, June 1997, 96/0389, Section 7.3 Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) Pilot Program

Victoria - Public Hospitals Policy and Funding Guidelines 1997-1998
Section A: Policy

7.3 Continuous Positive Airways
Pressure (CPAP) Pilot Program

There is reliable medical evidence that CPAP devices are an effective treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnoea (SOSA). The NH&MRC in their July 1993 report, Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea identified that ready availability of CPAP devices to patients with SOSA is desirable, and this is supported by advice from the Australian Health Technology Advisory Committee. There has also been increasing interest from consumers and physicians in the provision of additional assistance to patients with SOSA.
The CPAP Pilot Program is a joint Acute Health and Disability Services initiative and has been established following consultation with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Royal Australian College of Physicians. The Program is designed to ensure that individuals who are in clinical need and are financially disadvantaged have access to CPAP services. In 1997-98 $250,000 has been allocated to implement this pilot program.
The pilot program aims to enable Health Care Networks/hospitals to provide CPAP services to eligible people. The specific objectives of the pilot program are to:

Establish the most effective approach for the provision of CPAP services.
Measure the impact on individuals.
Establish future demand for CPAP services.

Health Care Networks and major rural hospitals will be allocated a portion of capped funds, based on their share of the state caseload.
Arrangements for the provision of CPAP devices and associated services will be made in conjunction with the approved supplier(s) for this program. These arrangements will be specified following a public tender process.
The Department will evaluate the CPAP Pilot Program through monitoring and review of:

Consumer level data provided through the program and VIMD (Victorian Inpatient Minimum Dataset) to establish client profiles and possible comorbidities.
Demand, usage and impact of CPAP devices.
Other information which will contribute ongoing policy and program development.

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