1. ACCREDITATION
You can be reasonably confident in a sleep center if it is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the leading professional organization dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine and related research.
2. RESPONSIVENESS
It is strongly recommended that your patient be admitted for a sleep study in a timely fashion – within three weeks or sooner if you feel the patient’s condition is serious.
Referring physicians should receive a full report within 48 hours of the day testing is completed. For prompt reporting, look for a center with a full-time sleep physician onsite.
Patients should then be seen by the sleep physician immediately after their study to discuss the results and review therapeutic options.
If CPAP therapy is indicated, an attentive sleep center will provide the patient with the proper CPAP equipment and instruction the same day testing is completed.
3. FOLLOW-UP & COMPLIANCE
To maximize patient compliance and success, the sleep center has a vested interest in providing ongoing follow-up support after diagnosis.
If an overnight test is normal, the sleep physician will spend time with the patient after the study to explore their sleep complaint in greater detail.
For patients complaining of excessive daytime sleepiness and whose sleep study is normal, the sleep clinic should be prepared to conduct a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) to determine possible neurological conditions.
4. COST
Many sleep centers are hospital-based and charge more per sleep study than independent centers. This can be a significant factor to both the insurer and the patient.
Sound Sleep Center meets all of the criteria found in a quality sleep disorder testing and treatment center. You can sleep easy knowing that when you refer patients to Sound Sleep Center, they will receive the quality care they need. You can also rest assured that you and your staff will enjoy the prompt, professional service you expect.
