Medical Services:Sleep Disorders Center  Northwest Community Hospital's Sleep Disorders Center has received accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Accreditation as a Sleep Disorders Center, valid for five years, it is reserved for centers that provide comprehensive testing and treatment of a full range of sleep disorders including sleep disordered breathing, insomnia and parasomnias.
The accreditation process required an in depth appraisal of the Center's sleep testing process and care for patients. Patient charts were reviewed, policies and procedures were compared to the standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommendations and a rigorous day long inspection of operations was required for accreditation.
The Sleep Disorders Center cares for adults and children 2 years and older. Northwest Community physicians with special training in sleep medicine are available for expert consultation. Overnight tests (polysomnograms) provide diagnostic information to ordering physicians. Other procedures, including tests to determine correct pressure levels for CPAP therapy (continuous positive airway pressure), are scheduled at patient convenience six nights a week in the eight bed sleep lab. Northwest Community sleep medicine physicians work closely with specialists in psychiatry, ENT and pulmonology to diagnose unusual problems. A special pediatric suite allows parents to sleep in an adjoining room while their child is tested. Closed circuit cameras allow parents to continuously observe the test process and technicians are available to answer any questions. Indications
Testing and DiagnosisTen percent of Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is found in four percent of men and two percent of women. An initial screening is performed via a patient self-assessment and physician questionnaire. Based on these assessments, staff work with the patient's physician to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Sleep testing is conducted by a team of physicians and sleep technologists upon referral by the patient's physician. Testing can range from a sleep study with nine channels of monitoring of sleep apnea to a full polysomnogram, which includes EEG channels for sleep staging and arousal identification. Nasal CPAP titration is offered as a treatment option. Nocturnal oximetry is also offered as a follow-up to home CPAP therapy or as a separate test for suspicion of nocturnal desaturation for oxygen therapy or effectiveness of CPAP. Upon completion of testing, a written report with recommendation is sent to the referring physician. Testing is done on an outpatient basis Monday through Friday. The Sleep Lab is located on the hospital campus at the 901 W. Kirchoff Road Building. See our Campus Map for directions. A physician order is required. Fees are covered by most insurance plans. For more information, call the Northwest Community Hospital Sleep Lab at 847.618.3190.
Last Updated on 01/18/08 |
Northwest Community Healthcare's Sleep Disorders Center offers testing, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals experiencing breathing disruption during sleep. It is estimated that 4% of Americans suffer from sleep disordered breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep disordered breathing, is increasingly associated with hypertension and increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
