There is a strong surge for home sleep testing and there is and will continue to be some confusion regarding the results for home sleep testing. This document will highlight the use of home sleep testing.
As always each individual should be pre-screened for any signs of sleep apnea before they are issued a home sleep test. The tool for which we do this needs to be a validated screening tool and the Berlin Questionnaire is the most used screening tool. However, the questionnaire is not easy to score or use. There is a questionnaire that is easy to use and is simple to score. The Stop-Bang questionnaire can zero on a patients rick for sleep apnea if they answer yes to any 3 of the questions. (Stop-Bang questionnaire attached)
Any person that answers yes to 3 of the questions is considered high risk for sleep apnea and should use a home sleep test. Our Home sleep test (HST) produce results accepted throughout the medical field. If the results indicates a sleep disordered breathing condition other than OSA, (e.g. Central Sleep Apnea), our interpreting physician may refer the patient to another sleep health care provider for a polysomnography (PSG) or laboratory sleep test.
The most common method to treat sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). There are two common types of CPAP machines: the traditional fixed pressure CPAP machines and automatically-adjusting positive airway pressure APAP machines. Both have been proven in treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
The two types of sleep testing are significantly differently in the cost and to the convenience of the patient. Home sleep testing costs are around $400.00 compared to in-lab testing that runs around $1,500.00 per night for two nights. The sheer convenience of having the patient use the HST in their own sleep environment adds to the comfort of the patient
Please contact us if you would like to be screened, tested and treated for sleep apnea.
AllTrans Fleet Services
21432 Provincial Blvd.
Katy, TX 77450
Tel: 281.945.4080
Fax: 281.945.4085