A Sleep Study, or Polysomnogram, is an overnight study wherein a patient comes to the hospital and is monitored while they sleep for the detection of a number of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, Narcolepsy, insomnia, REM Behavior Disorder, sleep walking or talking, and Periodic Limb Movements. Upon arrival the patient will be greeted by a technologist (credentialed Polysomnographer). The technologist will first have the patient fill out some paperwork in order to acquire relevant medical history and determine why the sleep study is being performed. Once all paperwork has been completed the technologist will give the patient a detailed explanation of the entire procedure and answer any and all questions the patient may have. The next step is to apply the electrodes that will be utilized for monitoring the patient. Some electrodes will be applied to the patient’s head; these will monitor brainwave activity, eye movements and chin muscle tone. These electrodes will give the technologist the ability to determine when the patient is awake or asleep, as well as what stage of sleep the patient is in throughout the night. An airflow sensor under the patient’s nose will allow the technologist to monitor the patient’s breathing and observe if there are any periods of inadequate airflow. Sensors will also be applied to the patient’s chest and abdomen. These electrodes will monitor the patient’s heart rate and rhythm, as well as the patient’s respiratory effort. Another sensor will be applied to the patient’s finger, which will monitor the patient’s blood oxygen saturation throughout the night. Finally, additional sensors will be applied to the patient’s legs to monitor leg movements in case of any movement disorders that may exist.

It is important to note that none of these sensors are very invasive. Many patients get nervous prior to their sleep study thinking that the electrodes may hurt. That is certainly not the case. None of the sensors will cause the patient any pain or harm. They all stick to the patient harmlessly and are removed easily in the morning. Also, all of our sleep labs are set up to make the patient as comfortable as possible throughout the night.

In most cases a patient may come into the sleep laboratory twice, as the first sleep study is often performed to monitor and diagnose any sleep disorders that may exist. Once a condition, such as sleep apnea, has been diagnosed a patient may be referred back to the sleep laboratory for a second sleep study with PAP treatment (please see our Treatment Options page) in order to resolve the patient’s sleep apnea. In some cases, when a patient meets certain severity criteria, the technologist may be required to intervene and begin PAP treatment during a patient’s first sleep study.