When testing is submitted to SAIL and the testing does not meet criteria, a rejection letter is sent to the prescribing physician. Unfortunately, testers don't see these letters or find out why they were rejected. Hopefully these tips help understand why a patient is sometimes sent back for testing and how to prevent delays.

GENERAL TIPS:

• Include the time stamps in the testing strip. If SAIL cannot see the time, testing will be rejected.

• Record the date of testing if your oximeter time is inaccurate. While most tests sent are from equipment with the accurate date, SAIL occasionally receive tests run on machines that show the date as 01/01/2014 or something similar. While SAIL can sometimes ignore this, in the event of an issue with confirming that the testing submitted is recent (within 2 months of the renewal date), if the machine time is incorrect and the date is not on the test results form, SAIL may have to reject the testing and request further testing, even if the testing shows the patient qualifies. This is because SAIL occasionally receives tests that are dated or too close – e.g. testing from 2021 submitted for 2024 renewal or testing was done in January and then again in February and the February testing is submitted for July renewal.
  

• Send clear scans of the results – technology is sometimes not our friend and it seems like a scanned document won’t get any clearer! But if SAIL can’t actually read the test strip, the testing may be rejected. SAIL assessors need to be able to view the test results to confirm eligibility.
  

• Your name, signature, and tester number must be on your results.

• Ensure to chart all details beside your results so assessors can fully understand your testing.

TIPS FOR EXERTIONAL TESTING:

• Reminder, the following have to be met and documented for exertional funding:
  • Oximetry on room air must show SpO2 ≤ 87% continuously for a minimum of 20 seconds AND there must be documentation of improvement in exercise capacity of 20% with oxygen use; also meaning the onset of symptoms is delayed by at least 20%.
  • Part 1 is a maximum exercise symptom limited room air test. After being seated for 10 minutes, the patient should use a treadmill, an exercise bicycle, or walk on the level at a comfortable pace. Stop the test with the onset of symptoms. Record the symptoms, the time of onset, and the distance.
  • Part 2 requires the patient to rest for 10 minutes while receiving 2 LPM (or whatever they need to recover) of oxygen after completing part one. The patient should then repeat the test in part 1 while using oxygen. Oxygen should be adjusted as needed to maintain the saturation at 90% – 92% during exercise. Stop the test with the onset of symptoms. Record the symptoms, the time of onset, and the distance.

• Remember to record the distance on the testing submitted to SAIL. Without the distance, they cannot verify that the individual meets criteria.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition and is among the lung diseases that affect the one in five Canadians living with respiratory disease. Although bronchiectasis can’t be cured, early diagnosis and the right treatment mean most people with bronchiectasis can live relatively normal lives.

Join us on Thursday September 12, 2024 6:30 (CST/SK) as we explore Bronchiectasis - Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment with respirologist Dr. Keren-Happuch Ho.

Lung Sask is shaping new continuing education opportunities for health care professionals under our Inspired Breathing brand.  Join us this Fall for interactive, in-person, and virtual events which will keep you up-to-date on topics such as asthma, COPD, RSV, vaccines, and Indigenous health. 

September 11 - September and the Asthma Surge

September 25 - Defend, Detect, and Defeat: Conquering Invasive Pneumococcal Infections (in person)

October 1 - Asthma Puffers Demystified

October 3 - Breaking the Cycle of Complacency in COPD

October 9 - RSV: A Population Risk Focus - Pregnancy and Adults 60+

October 17 - Myths, Truths, and What Health Care Professionals Need to Know About Vaccination 

November 7 - Best Care in Primary Care: COPD (Asthma), Heart Failure, Early Diagnosis of COPD & Lung Cancer Screening

November 28 - A Public Health Perspective on Indigenous Health

Lung Saskatchewan and GlaxoSmithKline have a long history of working together on activities to improve the lives of those with lung disease. Most recently they have joined forces and partnered on a new education webinar series – Lung Life, to empower those living with and caring for those with lung disease to live better. Join key opinion leaders in their respective fields of expertise to learn how to enjoy a better Lung Life in the presence of lung disease.

September 18 - Severe Asthma! What the lung experts have to say about treatment and physical activity

November 20 - What is new in COPD? The latest on what the experts are advising for COPD

February 12 - How is your Lung Life? Tips on how to protect and love your lungs