Dear Potential Client:

This package has been designed as a screening tool to evaluate if you have a “sleep deficit”.

Simply fill out the forms and return to Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center in the envelope provided.

After analyzing the validated sleep screen forms in this kit, we will contact you with the results.  If need be, we will provide you with the necessary documents to take to your primary physician for further evaluation.

The Epworth Scale:  a scale used by all major sleep disorders centers to help identify your sleep deficiency as a first line evaluation of sleep.

The Berlin Questionnaire:  a more detailed sleep evaluation tool to further identify sleep apnea.

Our Intake Sheet:  You need only to fill out the top part of this sheet marked in Yellow so we can contact you.

We can notify your primary physician of the results of this screening procedure.  Please complete the Primary Physician section on the information sheet if you would like your Primary Physician to receive a copy.

Feel free to visit our facility anytime for more information on sleep disorders.

VERMONT MEDICAL SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER

TESTING DESCRIPTIONS

DIAGNOSTIC POLYSOMNOGRAM

The diagnostic polysomnogram is performed to determine if someone is suffering from any one of the 86 diagnosable sleep disorders that disrupt sleep. The most common disorder evaluated is sleep apnea.  You will arrive at the Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center at a designated time to have an array of electrodes (small wires) and sensors placed that will record various physiologic parameters throughout sleep.  These include brain waves, muscle activity, ECG, and some breathing measurements.  Place of the electrodes takes approximately one hour.  Bedtimes vary with each patient to accommodate individual preference with lights out no later that 11:00 pm in most cases. Vermont Medical tries to provide a relaxing atmosphere for your study with private rooms and a common lounge.  There is television available in the common lounge until 11:00 pm. There are no clocks or televisions in the patient rooms intentionally to optimize the sleep environment.

CPAP/BI-LEVEL TITRATION

In the event it is determined that you are suffering from one of the various types of sleep apnea, your physician may order the most common treatment referred to as CPAP/Bi-level (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Therapy.  This treatment consists of a small mask worn or the nose and/or mouth, which are attached to, a small machine (essentially an air compressor) designed to hold the airway open through a continuous flow of air pressure.  The amount of pressure required is individually determined via the titration.  The titration is identical to the diagnostic polysomnogram with the addition of the CPAP/Bi-level machine. In most cases, individuals will be sent home in the morning with their own CPAP/Bi-level machine set at the determined pressure.  Vermont Medical will contact you to ensure compliance with the CPAP/Bi-level treatment at designated intervals.

MULTIPLE SLEEP LATENCY TESTING (MSLT)

The MSLT is a standardized diagnostic procedure for assessing excessive daytime somnolence and for the diagnosis of Narcolepsy.  The MSLT is performed during normal waking hours following an all night diagnostic polysomnogram. A series of 4-5 naps are scheduled at 2-hour intervals throughout the day.  The diagnostic polysomnogram the previous night is required to document adequate sleep time and rule out any sleep disorders that may influence the MSLT results.  Arrival to Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center is generally at 8:00 pm with a discharge between 4:00 and 6:00 pm the next day.

SPLIT NIGHT POLYSOMNOGRAM

In some case, your physician may order a single night sleep study to diagnose apnea and treat it via the CPAP-Bi-level provided a determined threshold of severity has been met. While Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center does provided split night studies it is not recommended on a regular basis. Due to insufficient time to adequately evaluate the effective of CPAP/Bi-level Therapy in all sleep stages and body positions, this type of study is typically reserved for the most sever cases to facilitate immediate treatment and/or for those that have reported inadvertent sleepiness endangering themselves or others.  If a split night study is ordered you will begin with a diagnostic polysomnogram with CPAP/Bi-level Therapy started after a minimum of 2 hours of sleep time.