I stumbled across this article about Group Health and the innovative way they can allow their patients to test for sleep apnea in their own home. This is a great idea for those who do not want to test at an inpatient sleep clinic. Testing at home is less expensive and more convenient. It will also allow people to sleep more naturally and normally than they would at an inpatient clinic.
How does it work? The patient receives instructions from the sleep medicine staff, takes home a sleep-test machine, hooks him or herself up to it, sleeps through the night, and returns the machine the next morning. One of the sleep specialists reads the results.
I have a diagnosed sleep disorder. I had to spend a full night and a full day sleeping and being tested at Georgetown University Hospital. I would have welcomed the opportunity to do this type of testing in my own home.
Another thought on sleeping at a sleep clinic – You have to leave the comfort of your memory foam bed! Check out HealthyFoundations.com to learn more about why a memory foam mattress is waaaaaaay better than a hospital sleep clinic!
