Polysomnography/Split Night Sleep Study

This is an all night Polysomnogram with permission to start treatment if the patient meets the criteria of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and guidelines of the insurance company.

If the patient tests positive OSA, the technologist will then initiate PAP therapy.  The PAP pressure will be adjusted throughout he patient’s sleep to achieve optimal PAP pressure to maintain airway patency.

Sometimes the patient does not meet qualifications for treatment until late in the morning.  PAP therapy can not be initiated past 2 am.  PAP pressure adjustments require 3-4 hours to achieve optimal pressure.  The patient will be required to return to the sleep center for the titration portion of the treatment.

What to Expect

During the Polysomnogram the patient will sleep in a private room that has been designed to simulate a bedroom as closely as possible.  Electrodes will be placed on the head, face, chest and legs to measure the patient’s brain waves, heart beat and breathing as they sleep.  This is a non-invasive procedure.  The electrodes are applied so that the patient can turn and move in their sleep without discomfort.

During the night a registered polysomnographic technologist from Iowa Health – Des Moines will electronically chart the patient’s sleep activity.  Patients can be at ease knowing that the supervisor and all of the technologists have more than 10 years of experience.