Preparing for your overnight sleep study at Harborview

General Information:

• If you need to cancel for any reason, it is required that you call 206-744-4999 a minimum of 48 hours in advance to avoid incurring any charges.
  
  
• The office (206-744-4999) is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sleep studies occur Sunday –Friday. If you are calling after office hours to cancel for the night of your sleep study, call 206-744-3068. This phone is staffed after 7:00 p.m. The night staff does not have ability to schedule appointments, help with CPAP, or order and refill prescriptions. Therefore, it is advised not to leave messages meant for day staff on this phone as the day staff may not get them in a timely manner.
  
  
• If sleepiness has been a problem while involved in driving or other potentially hazardous activities, we advise that you avoid those activities until your sleepiness has been resolved with treatment.
  
  
• If you are on oxygen, please bring at least 2 hours worth. It is necessary to have a copy of your oxygen prescription in order to receive any O₂ refills at the hospital.

WHERE TO GO

Check in with hospital admitting at 6:30 p.m.. Admitting is located on the ground floor just inside the 8th avenue entrance, by the view park garage. Note: You must check in with admitting prior to going to the Sleep Lab.

Once you have been admitted, you will be directed up to the Sleep Lab on the 3rd floor of the west hospital wing. The sleep lab opens at 7:00 p.m. Upon arrival at the Sleep Lab, a technologist will direct you to your room.

Parking Instructions

THE STUDY

The technologist will explain all procedures that will be completed for your study. It will take approximately one hour to apply the sensors. Procedures will include the following:

• Electrodes will be placed on your scalp, temple, and chin region to monitor brainwaves and muscle movement during sleep.
• A snore sensor will be placed on your neck. EKG wires will be attached to monitor your heart.
• Two belts will be placed on your abdomen to monitor your breathing.
• Two Leads will be placed on your legs to monitor their movement.
• An oxygen senor will be placed on your finger to monitor oxygen levels throughout the night.
• An air sensor will be placed by your nose to monitor your breathing during the night. These sensors do not limit your mobility in bed, and are not obtrusive.

If you have questions, please call our office during business hours 206-744-4999.

During the study, the technologist will be available in the next room , and can be summoned by an intercom device to assist you at any time. Patients can be disconnected, with assistance, from the monitoring equipment anytime throughout the night if they need to use the bathroom. Your study will be completed by 6:00 a.m., and you will be free to bathe and depart at this time. Checkout time is at approximately 7:30 a.m. the next day.

If there is a possibility of a CPAP or BiPap machine being used during the study, the technologist will explain that process to you during a trial demonstration.

THIS IS A NO SMOKING FACILITY

You will not be permitted to smoke at any time, either after checking into the sleep lab or during your study. If you believe this will cause you difficulty during your stay, please discuss nicotine replacement options with your primary care physician. Please be advised you may want to start your nicotine replacement at least 12 hours before your sleep study.

SPECIAL NEEDS

The technologists are not nurses and cannot provide help with medications, nutrition, mobility or personal hygiene. If you require ANY assistance with daily activities or tasks, please call our office several days prior to the study so special arrangements can be made.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SLEEP STUDY

• Do not consume any caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, or chocolate) after 12 noon the day of your test.
• Do not take any naps.
• Maintain your regular daytime schedule.
• Your hair should be clean (washed the day of the study or the night before – please do not use any hairspray, gel, or other hair care products or we will have to ask you to wash your hair prior to starting the study) as electrodes will be placed on your scalp. Refrain from having your hair styled close to the date of the study, as hair will be manipulated.
• Please do not wear make-up, if possible. If this is not practical, please be prepared to remove your make-up when you arrive.
• Men, unless you have a beard, please arrive clean-shaven. If you have a beard, we can work around it, but beard stubble is very difficult to work with.
• Hairpieces and hair weaves must be removed. (We must be able to get to your scalp to do the test).
• Eat dinner before arriving.
• If you have a spouse or person driving you from out of town, he/she will need to make arrangements at a local hotel/motel.
• If patient is younger than 18, a legal guardian must stay throughout the study

WHAT TO BRING

• Bring a list of ALL medications that you are taking.
• Please bring prescribed medicines with you to your sleep study. The medicines need to be in their original container. You will need to administer your own medication, including insulin.
• Continue to take medications per your doctor’s instructions.
• Please pack like you are staying in a motel for the night – pajamas (cotton is best), toothbrush, toothpaste and shampoo.
• You may bring your own pillow.
• You may also want to bring some reading materials. There will be a television in the room.
• You may bring a small snack and decaffeinated beverages. There is a microware and refrigerator available.
• Do not bring cash in excess of $20.
• Do not bring large amounts of personal clothing or luggage.
• Do not bring credit cards or any items of value (e.g. jewelry).

THE RESULTS

Your sleep study results will not be immediately available. It takes time to process all the information. You will be contacted 3-4 weeks after your sleep study in order to continue the next step in your healthcare.

Possible outcomes: an additional study, a follow-up appointment, a CPAP or BiPAP machine ordered for home use, or for referring back to the ordering provider). If a CPAP or BiPAP machine is ordered for you, a homecare company will contact you to arrange set-up on the machine.

Please do not hesitate to call our office at (206) 744-4999 if you have any additional questions, or if we can help in any way.