C-PAP XPRESS CREATES BREAKTHROUGH RETAIL OUTLET MODEL FOR SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERS

First-of-its-kind store offers active adults a patient-focused retail outlet that will provide greater variety, accessibility and convenience

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. - Sufferers of sleep apnea will soon sleep better, quicker and longer. They will have the opportunity to purchase C-PAP equipment in a retail setting that provides greater variety, more payment options, longer hours, and more customized service than the traditional home health care model. C-PAP Xpress, a Williamsville-based sister company to 25-year-old, home respiratory products and services provider Associated Healthcare, opened a sleep apnea equipment store in May 2007 at 8056 Transit Road in Williamsville.

The breakthrough outlet is the first of its kind in New York State and one of the first in the nation. Operating under a direct-to-patient business model, C-PAP Xpress allows sleep apnea sufferers to visit the store with or without an appointment, and offers initial treatment and education to newly diagnosed patients within 48 hours of a physician's referral. The store enters a growing market for sleep apnea, as a recent study by independent research company Frost and Sullivan forecasts 15 to 25 percent growth over the next five to seven years.

C-PAP Xpress' president, Jason Blanchet, RRT, originally developed his concept in 2005 for a master's degree thesis while studying at St. Bonaventure University. After receiving positive feedback, his professor encouraged him to seek investors to make the idea a reality. An initial meeting with Associated Healthcare later that year eventually led to the board's approval for funding in late 2006.

Blanchet took the helm of C-PAP Express in January 2007 and has worked ever since to hire vendors, build the store, and hire and train staff.

"Our goal is not to bypass the referral system for home health care, but rather enhance the process by building more awareness of sleep disorders and give the public more choice for treatment options," said Blanchet. "C-PAP Xpress is designed to offer a positive patient-focused experience, and it will be much like shopping for eye glasses. In our case, customers will see many options for masks, tubing, headgear and other equipment and accessories, and also have the support of knowledgeable staff who can provide customized fitting options."

C-PAP is an acronym for continuous positive airway pressure. It is a form of respiratory ventilation that uses a face mask and hose to deliver a steady stream of air during sleep, splinting the airway, eliminating obstructions, resulting in better breathing - all essential elements of a good night's sleep. As a result of treatment, one can experience regular breathing patterns, a cessation of snoring, and restful sleep.

Untreated sleep apnea, however, can lead to increased health risks such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes and heart disease. It also can contribute to weight gain, irritability and depression. Associated Healthcare estimates that more than 78,000 Western New Yorkers and 18-20 million people nationwide suffer from the disorder.

With C-PAP Xpress, customers have the opportunity to speed up the process for treatment, and find equipment that best suits their specific needs. Blanchet says that with the traditional home health care system, sleep apnea sufferers may sometimes wait for two weeks before treatment and do not have a robust choice in equipment. In fact, homecare patients not only sometimes receive improper mask fittings during home visitation, but also often neglect to replace supplies once contact stops with the provider. These factors can greatly diminish the effectiveness of the overall treatment.

"C-PAP Xpress takes a very patient-centered approach to business," says Blanchet. "Many sleep apnea suffers are still active adults, typically ranging anywhere from 30 to 60 years old. Our store allows them to feel a greater sense of control over treatment, while also receiving personalized attention. We developed a contact system, using phone calls, e-mails and postcards, to remind customers to replace supplies and encourage regular visits to a treatment store. And, knowing that the right mask makes all the difference for treatment, we offer a 30-day comfort fit mask guarantee that allows customers the opportunity to exchange equipment."

C-PAP Xpress will open in May 2007 at 8056 Transit Road in Williamsville, N.Y. Accepting all major credit cards, cash or insurance, C-PAP Xpress is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, please contact the company's president, Jason Blanchet, RRT, at (716) 633-2788 or blanchet@cpapxpress.com, or visit online at www.cpapxpress.com.