In-Lab Sleep Studies

In-lab sleep studies give care providers more comprehensive information on patients' sleep patterns than at-home sleep studies provide. Physicians use in-lab sleep studies to help diagnose conditions such as complex sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. In-lab sleep studies are performed at Brookings Health System's Sleep Diagnostics Facility.

How an In-Lab Sleep Study Works

Patient sleeping during an in-lab sleep studyIf you think you might have a sleep disorder, you first need a consultation and referral from your primary care provider. Once you've been given a referral for an in-lab sleep study, you will be scheduled for an evaluation at the Sleep Diagnostics Facility

A polysomnographic technologist will perform your sleep study using a polysomnography sleep system. These trained experts will monitor brain waves, breathing patterns, eye movement, blood oxygen levels, and other parameters needed to study sleep.

The sleep system’s software monitors when a patient’s airway is restricted during sleep, either while inhaling or exhaling. If the patient’s problem is identifiable in the first half of the sleep study, the technologist will awaken the patient to try an adaptive device, like a CPAP machine, to see if that helps the patient during the second half of the sleep study.

In addition, the system also includes an infrared video camera that records a patient’s movements and audio while he or she sleeps in complete darkness. Physicians, who are not on-site during a sleep study, can view the recording to have a better idea of a patient’s sleep tendencies and provide a more accurate diagnosis.

In the days following the sleep study, a specialist interprets the test results and routes the findings to your physician.

 

Want to learn more? Contact the Sleep Diagnostic Facility at (605) 696-8062.