Davis, who has worked with SSM Health in Southern Illinois since the early 1990s, said the number of sleep disorder cases treated by Sleep Services continues to rise as awareness of these conditions grows.
“More and more people are being diagnosed with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders,” said Davis. “Sleep apnea is the most common of them, but there are 88 different sleep disorders. That ranges from sleep apnea to things like restless leg syndrome and parasomnia.”
Speaking on the department’s need for additional staff, Davis said, “We have four sleep technicians for the entire region, and we are getting ready to hire another. As we continue grow, we will continue to hire more personnel.”
According to Davis, SSM Health in Southern Illinois Sleep Services has conducted over 20,000 sleep studies in SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia alone since opening in 1992.
About SSM Health
Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
