Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Not all sleep services are created equally…..

Sleep Medicine is a newly recognized medical sub-specialty of Pediatrics, Neurology, Internal Medicine and Otolaryngology .

* Sleep Specialists have undergone fellowship training in sleep medicine at academic centers.

* “Board Certification” indicates that a physician has passed a rigorous nationally standardized examination

Sleep Medicine VS. Sleep Studies

Just like a neurologist uses an MRI, a specialist uses a sleep study as part of your clinical evaluation.

A sleep study (polysomnogram) has a technical component and a professional component. A sleep specialist interprets a sleep study, like a radiologist interprets an MRI.

In the optimal clinical scenario, your physician (who knows your condition) also interprets your sleep study and prescribes treatment.

Where Can You Get a Sleep Study?

Ask your physician....

Sleep studies are performed in a unique setting. While a sleep laboratory is a highly technical neurophysiologic testing center, it should be comfortable and much like a typical bedroom.

Sleep laboratories can be part of a physician’s specialty practice, hospital-based, or owned by corporations and entrepreneurs.

Some parts of a sleep study require very specialized supervison and interpretation, such as EEG.

Pediatric sleep studies are different than adult studies, requiring both technical and professional expertise with children.

An educated consumer should look for indicators of quality, such as:

1) Interpreting physicians should be “Board Certified” in Sleep Medicine.


2) American Academy of Sleep Medicine Standards and Certification.

3) Pediatric and Adolescent services should be supervised and directed by a pediatric sleep specialist. Sleep studies should be interpreted by a pediatric specialist. A board-certified pediatric sleep specilaist is best (American Thoracic Society).

Consider a visit to the sleep lab before undergoing testing. Cleanliness, comfort and personal considerations may impact your diagnostic test.

To increase familiarity, children are especially encouraged to visit a lab before their study.




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