FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A sleep study is a non-invasive test where your brain waves and sleep patterns are monitored by a trained sleep technician. While you sleep, we collect data that will help us understand your sleep better. A treatment plan is put together and you will follow up with our Sleep Specialist or your referring physician to continue your care.

For your sleep study, you will spend the night in a private bedroom.

Sticky patches called sensors are placed on your scalp, face, chest, limbs and a finger. While you sleep, these devices record your brain activity, eye movements, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Elastic belts are placed around your chest and abdomen. They measure chest movements and the strength and duration of each exhaled breath.

The wires will be attached to sensors that transmit data to a computer in the next room. The wires are very thin and flexible and are bundled together to minimize discomfort. You will be able to roll in any direction.

Although we call the procedure of attaching these items the “hook-up” process, there are no hooks involved and no needles. The hook-up is not painful and is designed to be as comfortable as possible. Many people ask us how they will be able to sleep while connected to these sensors and belts. Most people find that once they lie down in bed, they do not notice the wires and can sleep in a variety of positions comfortably. The sensors are gathered into a “pony tail” above your head so that you can change position in bed almost as easily as you would at home. The technician will explain all the procedures and will be happy to answer your questions about the study.

Yes, we simply monitor your brain and muscle activity, sleeping position, and breathing while you are sleeping. There are no needles, drugs or other invasive procedures. Well-trained sleep technologists will monitor your entire sleep-testing period from a nearby room.

Yes, you will stay in a private, comfortable, home-like bedroom with a Select Comfort Sleep Number ® queen size bed. You can wear your usual bed clothes and your may bring your own pillow if you prefer. You can read at bedtime. For many, our private, comfortable, home-like setting is preferred over a hospital environment.

To measure breathing and sleep, sensors and belts will be attached to your child’s head, near the nose, mouth, chest, abdomen, finger, and legs. These sensors will allow us to record his or her breathing and sleeping patterns. Attaching the sensors is painless and involves no needles, but there will be a lot of stickers and tape. Paste is used to attach the sensors to your child’s scalp. Please wash your child’s hair before the study and do not use any gels, mousse, sprays, or lotions, as these may interfere with the testing and disrupt your child’s study. When the study is finished, the paste attaching the sensors will easily wash off. Children who are prepared for the study often have a better experience than those who are unprepared. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk with your child about the study a few days beforehand, and let him or her know what to expect. Give your child time to ask questions and offer plenty of reassurance. Your attitude can greatly affect how your child feels about the study, so be positive and confident. You are welcome to call and schedule an appointment to tour the sleep center before the night of the sleep study. If you have any questions the night of the study, our sleep study technicians can assist you during your stay.

Sleep apnea can be life threatening and needs to be taken very seriously. It is also very common-as common as adult diabetes-and affects more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority of people remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated, despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant consequences.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Impotency
• Headaches

Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.

No, small sensors are attached to your skin with an adhesive that will keep them on during the study, but allow for easy removal after the testing is completed. Flexible elastic belts around your chest and abdomen measure your breathing effort. A small thermocouple (which looks like a small loop of wire dipped in plastic) may be placed by your upper lip to measure the airflow from your nose and mouth. A pressure transducer may also be used. This is a small cannula placed in your nostrils and resembles oxygen tubing. It is used to monitor when you breathe in and out.

Yes, Parkway SleepHealth Centers have a record of successful testing, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide variety of sleep disorders. Parkway SleepHealth Centers will provide your physician with a written report on your sleep study along with recommendations for treatment.

Overnight sleep studies are the “gold standard” used for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders. Overnight studies are necessary in part because sleep patterns may vary throughout the night. In addition, overnight studies are important for detecting more subtle symptoms.

Yes. Ideally the sleep study will occur during your normal sleeping time.

Yes.

No, not really. We try to make it as comfortable as possible. Earplugs are available if needed, just ask your technician.

People prone to insomnia may experience some interference with sleep. However, the vast majority of patients sleep well enough to have a successful sleep study.

To ensure patient safety, a sleep technician remains on-site and a physician is always on call.

If you think you may have trouble falling asleep, you can ask your physician to prescribe a sleep aid. This medicine will not affect the sleep study. However, if you have not taken any of these medicines before, please arrange for someone to pick you up in the morning.

No. However, if you normally take a sleeping pill to fall asleep, then we recommend you bring one to the sleep study.

Yes, unless your physician tells you otherwise.

Depending on what your physician orders, you may get a full night or split night study. If your physician has ordered a split night study and sleep apneas are detected, then you may receive CPAP therapy as part of the sleep study.

Yes. We see patients ages 3 and up. A parent or guardian must stay with minors the entire time.

Yes. Just ask for it. You will need to sign a copy of our release of medical records form.

The treatment is individualized depending on the clinical situation and results of the sleep study.

You can generally follow your regular routine the day of your study. You should eat your evening meal before coming in, and also take a shower and shave (body oils can make it difficult to place the sensors in their proper position). Below are some things you should NOT do the day of your study:

• Take a nap
• Consume any caffeine after noon
• Use lotions or hair treatments after your shower and before coming to the lab
• Consume any alcohol

Yes, please bring:

• Any medication you might need during the night including any sleep aids
• Toiletries and a hair dryer if you plan to shower (your hair will likely be messy because of the water-soluble paste we use in the study)
• Loose fitting pajamas, sweats, or shorts
• Your insurance cards
• If you are on CPAP already, please bring your mask

At Parkway SleepHealth Centers, our arrival times are between 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM. If you generally go to bed before 9:30 PM, we recommend scheduling for 8 PM, as getting set up for the study does take time. If you work 3rd shift, we will schedule you to come in for your test during the day.

We need at least 6 hours sleep time. Most patients go to sleep between 10-11pm, after the “hook-up” process is complete. Your technician will start waking patients up between 5:30-6:30am. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes after you wake up to remove the sensors and fill out a short questionnaire. Your technician will offer you a washcloth and towel to clean up. Shower facilities are at our center. We offer a convenient “Grab & Go” breakfast.

Your sleep study will be scored by Registered Sleep Technologists, then it will be interpreted by a board certified Sleep Physician. It usually takes a week to get the results back to your referring physician. Depending on the type of referral either your physician’s office or a Parkway representative will call you when the results are ready. If you do not hear from us within 7 business days, give us a call!

At Parkway, we believe it takes more than recording a sleep study to care for our patients. We strive to make this a pleasant and even enjoyable experience for you, while providing a needed test in a professional manner.

Here are some of the amenities you can expect when you stay with us:

• Queen-size Sleep Number beds by Select Comfort©
• Satellite TV
• Recliner available by advance request
• Children choose a prize from our toy chest
• TcO2 monitoring for all children
• Complimentary WiFi
• Handicapped accessible bathrooms with shower facilities
• Complimentary “Grab & Go” breakfast

CPAP is an abbreviation for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and we usually refer to it as a “SEE-pap” machine.

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine is a bedside device that gently delivers pressurized air through a nasal mask or pillow system. This pressure acts like an “air splint” to keep the upper airway open and help prevent apnea. CPAP is not oxygen and does not “breathe for you”.

Your physician will order a CPAP machine for you at a prescribed setting, if appropriate. This order can be faxed to our CPAP department. After the order is received, you are contacted to schedule an appointment.

Yes, Parkway SleepHealth Centers does sell CPAP equipment.

Most insurance plans consider CPAP a covered expense for treatment of apnea. You may have a deductible, co-insurance, or co-payment. We are happy to check your insurance eligibility and benefits.

Once the Sleep Physician or your referring physician has a chance to review your sleep study, they will then make any recommendations as to the treatment. If CPAP is the treatment they recommend for you they will send over a prescription to Parkway SleepHealth Centers. Once the prescription is received Parkway will contact you to schedule a date and time for pick up.