Patients asked to arrive after 7.30pm and preferably before 8.30pm at all of our locations.
A parent must accompany and must stay with the child for the night.
Although children older than 18 years do not have to have a guardian, we still encourage attendance by a parent or caregiver when possible.
Arrival
The Hook-up Process
What type of data is collected
Check-out
Check-in
Patients usually wake up between 5.30am and 6.30 am.
The leads will be taken off at that point and a post study quality assurance questionnaire will be administered.
In our Winter Park, Hunters Creek and Melbourne locations, there are 2 sets of showers. While most people prefer to go home and clean up, those showers are an option. Please note that you will have to bring your own toiletries and towels as these are not provided.
The typical duration of a sleep study is between 5 and 10 hours. We strive to obtain about 6-8 hours of sleep data in our lab setting.
Data collected includes:
EEG (brainwaves): This allows us to tell if the subject is awake or asleep. It also tells us if the patient arouses a lot from sleep, and whether the patient has light or deep sleep or dream sleep. Finally, the EEG can warn us of conditions like seizures while sleeping. If this is noted then you will be referred to a neurologist for further investigation.
EOG (eye movement): This helps us tell if the subject is awake or asleep and if the patient is dreaming
EKG (heart tracings): This tells us about the electrical activity of the hears and if it is being affected by problems while sleeping. If we note any significant problems then we will refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation.
EMG (muscle tracings): This helps to tell us if our subjects are awake, asleep or dreaming. They also tell us if our patient is very restless and moves a lot in bed or if they grind their teeth while sleeping.
Pulse oximetry (oxygen measurement): This gives us a good idea of how well oxygen is getting carried around in the subjects body while they are sleeping
Chest and abdominal belts: These elastic belts move as we breathe and they tell us whether the subject is breathing well, shallow breathing or not breathing at all.
Nasal pressure transducers, Flow thermistors: These attempt to measure the flow of air across the nose and mouth and tell us whether the subject is not obstructed, partially obstructed or completely obstructed.
The hook up is the process of applying all the monitoring wires and equipment to the patient. This process takes about 20-35 minutes depending on the patient.
The process consists of applying EEG, EKG, EOG and EMG leads to the patient. In addition, chest and abdominal belts as well as nasal pressure transducers and pulse oximeter probes are applied. Depending on the underlying diagnosis of the subject, other leads may have to be placed.
Contrary to what parents may expect, children of all ages can go through this process and over 98% in our lab setting will tolerate the hook up and go to sleep once completed. Patience and reassurance by the parents goes a long way with our anxious patients and most failures occur when we do not have parental help/cooperation.
On arrival your insurance information/ card and your identification documents will be reviewed and copies made. If you have not filled out a copy of our sleep questionnaire, HIPPA form or consent to treat form which can be obtained online, then you will be asked to fill one out.
The patient will be promptly shown to their room and will be allowed to begin preparing for bedtime.
In our Winter Park, Hunters Creek and Melbourne locations, there are 2 beds in each room. One is for the child and the other for the parent. In our Tavares and Tampa locations, there is a bed for the child and a recliner for the parent.
Results
What to expect for your childs sleep study appointment.
Usually, results are available within 24-48 hours. Results will be sent to the referring physician and a copy will be sent to the subject and their caregivers. Also, depending on the preference of the referring physician, we may call you to verbally deliver a report, or in situations where things are noted to be abnormal, you may be asked to come in for an appointment.
