About
An in-facility sleep study is used to determine the cause of daytime sleepiness and to diagnose sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and periodic limb movements during sleep. It can also be used to determine the best possible settings and methods of treatment when using CPAP.
Our team gives patients a comfortable and private experience – all while taking advantage of the latest technology. It takes approximately one hour to prepare patients for this procedure, attaching sensors to patients with water-soluble paste, gauze, and tape. The electrodes do not pierce the skin.
We perform in-facility sleep studies for patients 13 years of age or older, and parents may stay overnight if they choose to. Each in-facility sleep study is private with a queen sized bed. Outside hallways are illuminated and the laboratory is locked overnight to ensure patient safety.
Patients may read in their private room or watch TV in our lounge until they are ready to go to sleep. Lights out is typically between 8:30am and 11:30pm. Our technologists will monitor and record data throughout the night from a separate room, and patients are typically woken up around 6am.
Diagnostic Studies
Diagnostic sleep studies (Polysomnograms) are performed to diagnose a variety of sleep related disorders and to evaluate the quality of sleep. Depending on the test ordered by a provider, CPAP therapy may be started midway through the study. This will be discussed in detail with the patient by one of our technologists during the appointment.
Therapeutic Studies
Therapeutic studies are performed for the treatment of sleep apnea using PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy. We offer a variety of different styles of masks to allow patients the ability to find the most comfortable option for them during their study.
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing & Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) and Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT) are sleep studies performed during the day, usually following an overnight, in-facility sleep study. MSLTs are used to diagnose idiopathic hypersomnolence or narcolepsy. MWTs are utilized to determine a patients ability to stay awake.
How to Prepare
We recommend patients eat their usual evening meal before coming in for their in-facility sleep study. We ask that patients avoid caffeine after 2pm, and to take their regular medications unless told otherwise by their provider. To obtain the best results for an in-facility sleep study, electrodes need to be placed on a clean, dry scalp. We ask that hair is clean and product-free on the evening of the test. Beards and mustaches do not interfere with the application of the recording sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend bringing the following items with you to the in-facility sleep testing:
- Up to date insurance information
- List of current medications
- Any medications taken during the night or first thing in the morning
- CPAP mask and headgear if you are currently being treated
- Comfortable pajamas
- Reading material, tablet, laptop, etc.
- Some patients prefer to bring their own blanket/pillow
It can be common to not be able to sleep as well as you normally do at home. A great deal can be learned from just a few hours of sleep. If you are concerned that you will not be able to sleep at all, we recommend discussing this with your provider. Occasionally, a sleep aid will be prescribed for the night of you in-facility sleep study, taken right before going to bed.
You will be free to move from side to side and onto your stomach or back as much as you desire. Some patients may be asked to sleep on their back as requested by the technologist on a case-by-case basis.
It can take a few weeks before a certified sleep provider can render their interpretation of the results after thorough review of the recorded data. The sleep technologist may not discuss test results with you in the morning. Your results will be discussed with you by the provider who ordered the sleep study.
Facility Overnight Sleep Study
An in-person, overnight sleep study may be required to diagnose certain sleep disorders or determine the best possible settings and methods of treatment when using CPAP.
Our sleep center gives patients a comfortable and private experience while taking advantage of the latest technology.
It will take about an hour to prepare you for the procedure. The technologists will attach sensors to you with a water-soluble paste and tape. The electrodes do not pierce the skin.
You may read in your room or watch TV in the lounge briefly until you are ready to go to sleep. Lights out is typically between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The technologist monitors and records the data all night from a separate control room. You will typically be woken between 6 a.m. and 6:15 a.m.
Special Things to Know
- We perform in-person sleep studies on children as young as 13; parents may stay overnight with any patient under the age of 18 if they choose
- Sleep studies are conducted in private, comfortable rooms
- The sleep center offers bedrooms with queen size beds unless a hospital bed is required
- Outside hallways are illuminated and the sleep laboratory is locked at night to ensure your security
- Your current insurance card
- Though not required, some patients prefer to bring their own blanket and/or pillow
- Reading material, tablet, laptop, etc.
- Comfortable pajamas
- List of all medications that you take
- Any medication that you will need to take before bed
- Your CPAP mask and headgear if you are currently being treated
Preparing for Your Facility Overnight Sleep Study
- Eat your usual evening meal before coming to the sleep center
- Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m.
- Take your regular medications unless told otherwise by your provider
- To obtain the best results, electrodes need to be placed on a clean, dry scalp. Please be sure your hair is clean and product-free on the evening of your test. Beards and moustaches do not interfere with the application of recording sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be common that you may not sleep the same as you do at home. A great deal can still be learned from just a few hours of sleep. If you are concerned that you will not be able to sleep at all, please discuss this with your provider. Occasionally, a sleep aid will be prescribed for the night of your study to be taken just before bedtime.
No. You will be free to move from side to side and onto your stomach or back as you desire. Some sleep on your back may requested by the technologist on a case-by-case basis.
It can take a couple of weeks before a certified sleep physician can render their interpretation of the results after thorough review of the recorded data. The sleep technologist may not discuss test results with you in the morning. Your results will be discussed with you by the provider who ordered your sleep study.
That will depend on the test ordered by your provider. Sometimes CPAP therapy is started midway through your study. This will be discussed with you in detail by the sleep technologist during your appointment.