DESCRIPTION OF SLEEP STUDIES
 
  • Diagnostic
  • Titration
  • Example of Diagnostic and Titration


    • What to Expect

    Diagnostic

    After making an appointment for a sleep study, you will be given a patient packet that you will need to fill out completely and bring it with you the night of the sleep study.

    There are a few things to take care of before you come in for your appointment:

    · If you anticipate having difficulties sleeping in a lab atmosphere and would like assistance with the use of a sleep aid, please contact our office for a prescription. Sleep technicians will not have access to sleep medication.

    · Arrive with freshly washed, but dry hair. Wet hair could affect the signals.

    · Please NO make-up, body lotions or creams. Again, this can affect the study.

    · Men without beards, please shave. This helps with the placement of the wires.

    · Bring comfortable bedclothes (pajamas, nightgowns, etc). This helps keep wires out of your way while you sleep. Cameras monitor you while you sleep, so bring bedclothes that are appropriate for the setting.

    · Bring any toiletries that you may want or need. There are no showers at the center.

    · Although we have very comfortable beds, you are welcome to bring your own pillows and/or blankets.

    · Bring any medications that you usually take at bedtime with you.

    · Please inform the office or our Sleep Lab Coordinator if you have any special needs including: problems with mobility, incontinence, history of nocturnal seizures, if you are on oxygen, if an attendant will be staying the night, if a translator will be staying with you, etc.

    · If you are currently using CPAP, please bring your mask with you to the sleep study.

    · Please expect to turn off cell phones, and do not bring any alarms, watches, or clocks.

    · If you have any billing questions, please call our office and speak with our billing department. Technicians will not be able to discuss nor confirm any billing issues at the sleep study.


    When you arrive for your diagnostic sleep study, the following will occur:

    · The Technician will collect the patient packet and show you to your sleep room, and finish the registration process.

    · The Technician will connect all the heart, muscle, leg and brain monitors to you. This process takes up to an hour, to ensure proper placement of all wires or leads.

    · The sleep study will then begin. The rooms are equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers so that you may call to the Technician at any time.

    · You will be woken up between 5:00a.m.and 6:00a.m.

    · If you are going to work, you will need to go home and shower. There is no shower at the center.

    You will receive the results of your diagnostic sleep study within seven to fourteen days. If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you will be scheduled for your follow up titration study as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will meet with the physician to discuss the results and possible treatments if needed.

    Titration

    The procedure is the same as for a diagnostic study, only this time you will be wearing a CPAP mask. You will choose from a variety of masks.

    Once you have chosen a mask, the sleep technician will again attach the monitors for your brain, heart, and muscles. The sleep technician will have you try on the mask using the air pressure. They will ask you to breathe in and out of your nose while keeping your mouth closed. Once you fall asleep, the technician will monitor you and if you begin to have any respiratory events (snoring, apneas, hypopneas, etc), the technician will make the appropriate adjustments to resolve these events.

    At the end of the study the technician will fill out a report for the physician recommending an optimal pressure for you. A prescription will be filled out and faxed to a DME company of your choice. This DME company will contact with you within three business days. If you have not heard anything, please give our office a call to find out the status of your study. The DME company should provide you with the mask you chose and a machine. They will also provide you with information on how to operate and maintain your machine and mask.
    Just remember that CPAP therapy is only effective if you use it every night. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us any time. We will be monitoring your success. Soon you will really feel the benefits of CPAP therapy.

    Example of Diagnostic and Titration - Click Here

    Photos a Courtesy of Hetta Malone, hettamalone@sbcglobal.net