Most sleep disorders are easily treated, which can greatly improve your quality of life. The sleep test – or Polysomnogram – is usually covered by insurance, as an outpatient procedure, and is completed with an overnight stay in the sleep lab.
What can you expect during your sleep study?
When you arrive at the SSM Center for Sleep Disorders location – a few hours prior to your regular bedtime – you will be greeted by a trained sleep technician. He or she will show you to your accommodations and address any questions or concerns that you might have about your sleep testing.
Throughout the course of your sleep, the monitoring equipment is recording your sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and body movements. An experienced sleep technician monitors these sleep patterns from an adjacent room throughout the night. We require seven hours of recorded sleep patterns to adequately complete the test.
What happens in the morning after my test?
After the test is complete, a private bathroom with shower is available for your use before heading home or to work. The sleep technician will share your sleep data from the prior evening with a physician who is specially trained and experienced in interpreting sleep studies. The physician will interpret your test based on your medical history, your self-assessment, and your recorded sleep patterns.
Typically, your study is complete after one night. However, you may be asked to stay during the day for additional testing or come back for another night if an additional study is required.
When will I receive the results?
Generally, the results of your sleep study will be shared with your primary physician within one week after your test. Together with your physician, our sleep specialist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your study.