SLEEP STUDY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Yes. You do have your own private room that is set up similar to a hotel room. There is a recliner, TV, and Wi-Fi. Please note that if the patient is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will need to be in the private room with the minor.

The technician will begin waking you at 5:00-5:30 am. The sleep lab closes at 6 am, so you will be out no later than 6 am.

Unfortunately, no. Everyone, including the staff, must be out at 6 am unless there are special circumstances, such as a MSLT day study, and those arrangements must be made in advance.

Significant others are not allowed to sleep overnight in the patient room. Please remember this is a test and other’s disruption in the room can wake the patient and compromise the accuracy of the test. We will make other arrangements for the patient if, due to medical reasons, a partner or caregiver must be available on site.

Yes, but it is non-invasive. The sleep technician needs to monitor your heart rate, limb movements, eye movements, air flow, breathing effort, chin muscle tone, and brain activity. This is how the data is collected for the physician to review and interpret your sleep study.

Most people sleep reasonably well. We need to obtain a sample of your sleep pattern. The application of the body sensors and electrodes allows you to change positions in your sleep.

No. This is a painless and non-invasive testing procedure. Paste is applied to your skin and scalp to keep the electrodes in place, but it is easily removed with soap and warm water.

Yes. However, it is only a small box on the computer screen. Your technician needs to monitor your study and make sure the data is being collected correctly by watching the different positions the patient is in while sleeping.

No. Some form of sleep wear is required.

After the technician gathers all the information needed, around 6 hours of readings, you will then be woken up between the hours of 5:00 am-5:30am and will then be released to go home.

Since you will be monitored during your testing, you can call out to your technician. The technician will come into your room and assist you with the process to make it easier. You need to wait for the tech to help with the wires.

Yes. You are more than welcome to bring in your own pillow and blanket. You can also bring in a book to help you fall asleep.

If your physician has prescribed a sleep aid for the night of the study or approved a medication you are on, then yes. You must have the sleep aids approved prior to the testing.

Either is fine. If you are on any medications that would affect your driving, then we would ask you to be dropped off.

No, but we have a refrigerator available for any items you may bring.

Please allow 10-14 days following the successful completion of the test.

For CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) titration, we will use the wires that were used for your diagnostic study. Also, you will be asked to sleep with a CPAP mask over your nose. The mask delivers air to keep your airway open. This test is used to determine the optimal pressure that will effectively treat your sleep apnea and snoring.

Most insurers cover sleep studies. However, check with your insurance provider to be sure this procedure is a paid benefit under your plan, and it has been authorized.

We provide Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and supplies along with our Medical Services. Please note that these departments operate in separate billing systems. As a result, you may receive two separate billing statements from each department, depending on services rendered. Do you have questions about your bill? Please contact us using the information below.

For all Durable Medical Equipment, including CPAP and BiPAP machines, and all Corresponding Supplies:

Telephone: (571) 209-1818

Online Bill Pay: LMGDME.hmebillpay.com

[email protected] – Questions or concerns relating to your DME equipment.

[email protected] – Questions or concerns as it relates to receiving your supplies or ordering supplies.

For Medical Services, including Office Visits, Sleep Studies, and Oral Appliances:

Telephone: (703) 443-6717

Online Bill Pay: www.LMGDoctors.com

Your sleep will be monitored throughout the night by our sleep technologist to obtain a polysomnogram – which means different aspects of your sleep patterns, not just sleep interruptions, but also important physiologic parameters including the amount of airflow during breathing, the amount of oxygen in your blood, heart rate, brain waves, eye and leg movements, and sleep stages and cycles.

For your sleep study, you will spend the night in a private bedroom at one of our sleep centers.

While sleep studies are pain-free and noninvasive. Some patients may feel uncomfortable during a sleep study when sensors are placed on the patient for monitoring during the sleep test, but we find our patients typically settle in pretty quickly. Our sleep center is safe and conducive to sleep. It is dark, quiet, and pleasing with a controlled, comfortable temperature. You will have your own private bedroom and nearby bathroom while undergoing your sleep study. We have a flat screen TV in each bedroom, and free WiFi for your iPad, computer or tablet.

A specially trained technologist will conduct the sleep test evaluation. After you are dressed for your sleep test, the technologist will apply approximately 15 sensors to your scalp and skin – a special adhesive is used that washes out very easily. Two belt sensors will be placed around your chest and abdomen to monitor breathing effort. Two small airflow sensors will be placed beneath your nose and a sensor will be placed on your neck to monitor snoring. Once in bed, the technologist will apply an oxygen sensor to your finger to determine your individual sleep problems.

The wires attached to the monitors are plugged into a box that is then plugged into a cable by your headboard. The technologist will monitor your sleep test from another room. If you should need to get out of bed during the night to use the bathroom, our technologist will assist you by disconnecting the cable.

An overnight sleep test will last a minimum of 6 hours, ending no later than 6:00 AM. Overnight sleep studies are the “gold standard” used for accurately diagnosing sleep disorders. Overnight studies are necessary in part because sleep patterns may vary throughout the night. In addition, overnight studies are important for detecting more subtle symptoms.

If a daytime nap study is requested, it follows the overnight sleep study and ends approximately 10 hours after you awaken (usually between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM).

Yes, we simply monitor your brain and muscle activity, sleeping position, and breathing while you are sleeping. There are no needles, drugs or other invasive procedures. Our compassionate, and experienced, well-trained sleep technologists will monitor your sleep via a small camera and computer from a nearby room.

Yes, as it’s best to perform the sleep study during your normal sleep time.

Yes, please do as we want you to be comfortable during your study.

If you think you may have trouble falling asleep, you can ask your physician to prescribe a sleep aid. This medicine will not affect the sleep study. However, if you have not taken any of these medicines before, you may want to arrange for someone to pick you up in the morning.

Generally, you can do anything you normally do on the day of your sleep study. You should eat your evening meal before coming in, and also take a shower and shave (body oils can make it difficult to place the sensors in their proper position).

Below are some things you should NOT do the day of your study:

  • Take a nap
  • Consume any caffeine after noon
  • Use lotions or hair treatments after your shower and before coming to the lab
  • Consume any alcohol

Yes, please bring the following items with you:

  • Any medication you might need during the night including any sleep aids if your physician prescribed them to you for the sleep study
  • Toiletries and a hair dryer if you plan to shower (your hair will likely be messy because of the water-soluble paste we use in the study)
  • Loose fitting pajamas, sweats, or shorts
  • Your insurance card
  • If you are on CPAP already, please bring your mask

We feel it is important to keep you on your normal sleep schedule. When scheduling your appointment, we ask that you arrive between 9:00 and 9:45 p.m., or if your child is having a sleep study, we ask that you arrive at 8:30 p.m. If you work 3rd shift, we will schedule you during the day.

We typically would like at least 6 hours sleep time. Most patients go to sleep about 10 pm and awake we start waking you up between 5 and 5:30 am. We encourage you to keep a normal sleep schedule. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes after you wake up to remove the sensors and fill out a short questionnaire. We have private showers available for your convenience.

Depending on what your physician orders or if during your consult our physician felt a split study would be the best diagnostic tool, you may get a full night or split night study. If a physician has ordered a split night study and sleep apneas are detected, then you may receive CPAP therapy as part of the sleep study.

Adults, children, and teens may all be affected by sleep disorders. Our Arlington and Lansdown locations have pediatric themed rooms but all locations can accommodate a child. We have comfortable recliners where a parent or guardian can accompany their child and spend the night. Parents are not allowed to sleep in the same bed with the child during testing. We use the latest in technology for children and we do additional monitoring as well. You and your child are welcome to tour the lab before the scheduled sleep study.

Your sleep study will be scored by Registered Sleep Technologists, then it will be interpreted by our board-certified Sleep Physician. It usually takes 3-4 business days to get the results back and depending on your referral order, either we will schedule you for a follow-up visit or you will return to your physician for the results and treatment recommendations

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW FOR MY SLEEP STUDY?

As we have several locations, please be aware and make note of the CSCC sleep center, suite number, and entry instructions for the specific location where your study is scheduled.

WHAT IS AN MSLT OR MWT

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) / Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) The MSLT test for excessive daytime sleepiness works by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. Also known as a daytime nap study, the MSLT is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is used to measure how alert you are during the day. It shows whether you can stay awake for a defined period. This is an indicator of how well you can function and remain alert in quiet times of inactivity.

CANCELING A SLEEP STUDY

If you need to cancel your scheduled sleep study, you must give the Sleep Center a 72-hour notice. To reschedule your study, call 703-729-3420 or a cancelation fee of $350 will be charged.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE/NEEDS

If you currently use any of the items listed below, reside in a skilled nursing facility, or have any other special needs, please call the Sleep Center as soon as possible: * Wheelchair       * Personal Care Assistant    * Incontinence pads   *Oxygen   * Medication assistance      * Lifting devices    * Special bed    *Recliner