Consultation Services and Sleep Testing

Individuals with sleep-related symptoms should be referred by their physician for consultation with a member of the Program's medical staff. Those without a primary care or other referring physician may request an evaluation with us, but are encouraged to discuss their problems with a primary care physician first.

A sleep study, known as polysomnography, is the standard used to evaluate the quality of a patient's sleep and to look for respiratory difficulties or other abnormalities during sleep.  Patients sleep in a comfortable, private room during their usual sleep time.   Measurements include "brain waves" (EEG) collected using small electrodes placed on the scalp; breathing by means of sensors at the nose, mouth and on the chest and abdomen; oxygen level using a sensor that clips to a finger; an EKG (heart rhythm) recording from small electrodes on the chest and continuous video recording.  A technologist is constantly in attendance from a remote recording room in the laboratory and may be immediately summoned for any necessary assistance.