Sleep Medicine News

Lakeland Sleep Labs Earn Home Sleep Apnea Testing Accreditation
Mar 10, 2015

(ST. JOSEPH) – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recently awarded the sleep labs at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, and Lakeland Hospital, Niles, with the Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) accreditation.

Home sleep apnea testing allows a patient to complete a sleep study at home, rather than in the sleep lab setting. A board-certified sleep medicine physician uses information from the patient’s sleep study to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. To become HSAT accredited, the sleep labs had to create new policies and procedures that met the AASM standards, purchase home study devices, and train caregivers on how to use the equipment and analyze patient data.

“With our quality home sleep apnea testing technology, patients who qualify can be tested for obstructive sleep apnea from the comfort of their home with a less complex diagnostic procedure,” said Emily Caudell, Sleep Lab Supervisor. “Becoming accredited is another step in ensuring that we are meeting the highest standards set forth for patient care."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages and socioeconomic classes. Approximately 5% of the nation’s adult population has undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, which is a known risk factor for hypertension, obesity, depression, heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.

If you are struggling with sleep issues, contact your provider to discuss your concerns and learn about options for sleep testing.

Pictured here are Lakeland Health team members Debbie Lull, RN, Executive Director of Clinical Care Services (left) and Emily Caudell, Sleep Lab Supervisor.