After a sleep evaluation, Gary Gross is ready to start the day!

Sleep Study Instructions & Information

What should I do before my sleep study?

Before the study we encourage you to check with your insurance company for coverage. The sleep study will be an outpatient diagnostic test. You may want to contact the hospital Patient Accounts office at 314-525-4747, if you have any questions concerning payments.

Where do I go the night of my study?

You need to report to the Sleep Disorder Center, located on-campus across from the main hospital in Hyland Education & Training Center on the second floor. (See interactive map.) Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the bridge over the pond. You may either take the stairway or elevator to the second floor. The sleep technician will check you in at the window and then escort you to your room.

Please arrive a few minutes early before the scheduled time of your study.

Can my family or friends spend the night with me?

Family/friends are not allowed to spend the night in the Sleep Disorder Center, unless the patient is an adolescent or requires assistance/support. Please contact the Sleep Disorder Center Supervisor if it is necessary that a family member stay the night for support. However, if your family wants to accompany you to the Sleep Disorder Center for a few minutes, they may do so. If you require any assistance, then please notify the Sleep Disorder Center staff prior to your arrival by calling 314-525-7280.

What do I need to bring?

When you come for your study, you should bring:

• the completed “Sleep History Questionnaire” you received in the mail
• your insurance card
• medications as prescribed
• something comfortable to sleep in, such as pajamas, shorts and t-shirt, etc.
• any personal items necessary to make your night more like “home,” such as reading material, favorite pillow, toiletries, etc.

Should I take my daily medications as usual?

Take and bring your usual medications, unless told otherwise by your doctor. We do not have a pharmacy and are not responsible for administering medications. You are responsible for bringing and self-administering your medications. Try to maintain your normal daily routine. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and excessive napping the day of the exam.

What happens to me when I arrive at my room?

The room is private and hotel-like. You will have a private bathroom with shower, satellite television, oversized chair with ottoman and a full-sized bed. Once acclimated to the room, you will view a video, “Rise and Shine,” which will explain more about the sleep study.

The technician will fit you with different masks and briefly acclimate you to breathing on positive air pressure. These masks may be placed on you during your sleep test if you qualify for treatment. The masks are lightweight and fit over your nose or nose and mouth. This is an accessory to a device called CPAP/Bilevel. Some patients may require support from this type of device in order to help them breathe better during sleep. Your doctor will be notified in the morning if this type of device is needed for home use.

The sleep technician will have you sit in a chair and will attach several electrodes to your head, face, chest, arms, and legs. Please remember to have your hair clean and free of spray, gel, mousse, etc. This procedure is painless and non-invasive, but it is time consuming. You will experience no needles or probing, only adhesive products.

These electrodes monitor brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rhythm,oxygen level and breathing pattern. After all of these electrodes are secure, you will be able to relax until you are ready for bed. Ideally, the bedtime will be approximately 10 p.m. to midnight. Special sleep accommodations are available for shift workers.

Once ready for bed, you will be asked to perform several simple tasks, such as: blink eyes, move eyes left and right, breathe deeply, hold your breath, etc.

Will I be able to get up and use the rest room throughout the night?

Yes. The sleep technician will be monitoring you from a room down the hall. If you need to get up to use the bathroom, just alert the technician, who will assist you.

What if I can’t go to sleep?

Do not feel pressured to get to sleep right away. Sleep will eventually come and the necessary data will be collected. Some people may sleep better at the Sleep Disorder Center and others may take some time to fall asleep. Regardless, this is a 6-8 hour study, so time is plentiful. If sleep medication was prescribed by your doctor, then you may self-administer it to help achieve sleep.

What time will I wake up in the morning?

Typically, wake up is from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Special accommodations are made for shift worker schedules. Shower facilities and coffee or juices are available upon request. If your work schedule requires you to leave early, please let the sleep technician know before the test starts. Most patients are able to attend to their normal activities (work, school, etc.) in the morning following their sleep study.

What will happen after my sleep study is finished?

Your sleep study will be scored by a sleep technologist within 3-5 working days. The results will be sent to your doctor. You will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your ordering physician to receive your results.

What are some things I should ask my doctor about?

When you see your doctor, you are encouraged to bring your spouse and make a list of questions beforehand. Here are some examples of commonly asked questions:

• Do I have Sleep Apnea?
• Did I stop breathing while I was asleep?
• If so how often and how long did I quit breathing?
• Did my oxygen level drop?
• Will I need treatment with a mask and breathing machine?
• Would I benefit from weight loss?
• Would I benefit from some type of surgery?
• Would I benefit from sleeping on my side?
• Would I benefit from medication?
• Would I benefit from oxygen?

Depending on the results of your study the doctor may order an additional sleep study performed the following day. This type of study is called a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and it requires you to spend the next day in the sleep disorder center following your night study. This test monitors you while you take a series of naps during the day. It measures how quickly you fall asleep and helps show how sleepy you are during the day.

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