Additionally some insurance companies require an HST before they will consider an in lab study and some companies will not approve HSTs under any circumstances and we can help you navigate those waters as well
Home Sleep Study Pros
On average a Home Sleep Test is about one quarter the cost of an in lab study
You get to be in your own home and sleep in your own bed
They are a good diagnostic tool for generally healthy people with uncomplicated Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA
Home Sleep Study Cons
If a sensor falls off you may not know it whereas the lab tech would be right in to reattach it If a sensor is off for a good portion of the night the study may need to be repeated
HSTs are limited to sleep disordered breathing and are not appropriate for patients with other conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD Congestive Heart Failure CHF Restless Leg Syndrome RLS and others that may necessitate more advanced monitoring
HSTs tend to underdiagnose Because they dont use EEG electrodes to positively determine when the patient is asleep the entire study will be scored from Start to Stop versus an in lab study where sleep is accurately recorded and only the sleep portion is scored
If the Sleep Specialist determines that an HST is right for you you will be scheduled for an appointment to pick up the device and be given a demonstration and instructions on how to attach and use it
HST Devices and What Gets Recorded
There are several brands of HST devices available and while what parameters they record may vary all will at least include a small nasal cannula to measure airflow a belt around the upper chest to measure the movement of breathing and a finger clip to measure the oxygen saturation of the blood oximeter
Other parameters may include a small wire thermistor in front of the mouth to measure oral airflow a second belt to measure breathing movement at the waist diaphragm and a position sensor to record when you are on your back right or left side or stomach
The recording device itself is battery operated and attaches to the chest belt and is worn in front so belly sleepers may have to adjust their position for the night Most are approximately the size of a smartphone and their thickness may be up to a couple of inches but all weigh less than a pound
Procedure
When a patient comes to the Alaska Sleep Clinic to pick up their HST equipment they are shown how to attach everything what to do if something disconnects and how to turn the device on and off so that it should only take you ten minutes or so to put it on and be ready for bed
Youll turn the device off in the morning remove everything and return it to the sleep clinic The study will be scored and then sent to the Sleep Specialist for interpretation
While up to 70 of all snorers out there with undiagnosed OSA may be a good candidate for an HST not all snorers are created equal
Sleep Study Follow Up
As with any medical treatment compliance is critical to effectiveness and effectiveness is critical to a positive
outcomeTo ensure your treatment is effective and that you receive maximum benefit from your therapy we strongly believe in and provide excellent patient follow up care
We are committed to making sure our patients are successful with positive airway pressure CPAP therapy Success begins with knowledge As your premier local resource for sleep education we are here to help you create a strong foundation on which to build a positive therapeutic experience We consider ourselves your partner in this lifestyle change
Knowledgeable professionals are available to answer all your questions and more We pride ourselves on being the Full Service Sleep Clinic you turn to for all your sleep needs At Alaska Sleep Clinic weve learned that these extra steps we take are vital to ensure youre getting truly effective care Thats why we developed the SleepN Program to better help you with your durable medical equipment DME compliance
SleepN Program exclusively at the Alaska Sleep Clinic is the ultimate support for CPAP compliance and equipment maintenance
If youve given up on your CPAP machine or are avoiding it altogether let us show you a better
solutionIntroducing the SleepN program from Alaska SleepClinic and how were with you every step of the wayRoughly 55 of people given CPAP Therapy equipment stop using it within a few weeks mostly because they find their masks uncomfortable to wear and just plain give up on their treatment
At Alaska Sleep Clinic were sleep specialists Finding answers and solutions to sleep problems is what we do So we created the SleepN program to help ensure youre successful with your CPAPand to protect your health Thats why we provide SleepN free of charge to all our clients
Heres what makes SleepN unique
You get a remote wireless monitoring system that allows our dedicated sleep technologists to keep an eye on your progress every night while you sleep assuring that any problems are noticed and dealt with immediately
We offer you the latest in CPAP equipment its lighter whisper quiet and fits better than anything available even a couple of years ago The more comfortable the equipment the more likely you are to use it
SleepN also automatically alerts our sleep technologists when you need new filters tubing or masks These are typically covered by your insurance so youll only pay the postage This saves you time and ensures that you always have working equipment
Best of all this added attention is included in your care at no extra cost We believe that your health is too important for you not to use your CPAP equipment so we want to ensure that it works for you in every way
For additional information on our Free SleepN Program and to maintain continual CPAP Compliance you can download additional information here
Feel free to contact us or click here for more info on how Alaska Sleep Clinic can help determine in an HST is right for you
