Sleep Studies at Hackensack Sleep & Pulmonary Center
What is a Sleep Study?
Sleep Studies are very thorough evaluations of your sleep patterns to pinpoint problem areas. They aid in diagnosis and treatment. They are very safe procedures and fall into three categories.
In-Lab Sleep Studies
In-Lab studies require an overnight stay in our sleep lab. Our rooms are private and designed for comfort and to make you feel at home. During the study patients are monitored closely and a variety of data will be obtained.
Our Sleep Lab – Sleep Evaluation Center
Our sleep lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is staffed by registered technicians. It has been custom designed to create a comfortable, like-home atmosphere.
Our goal at Hackensack Sleep Evaluation Center is to make your experience as pleasant as possible. You may bring anything you need to sleep and to make you feel more at home, such as DVDs, stuffed animals, your own pillow.
Our beds are comfortable and fully motorized so you can raise your head, feet, or both so you can enjoy an infinite number of ergonomic rest positions. There is cable TV in each private room for your entertainment while waiting to begin your test.
To provide each patient with maximum privacy and comfort, the sleep center is divided into sections. The Executive Section has the most advanced and luxurious services available. It is equipped with all the necessary business and communication tools for busy executives during their stay.
To get accurate results from the test, we cannot allow patients to have someone sleep in the bed with them. If necessary, you may have a bed partner sleep in the same room with you. A separate comfortable sleeper chair is available.
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Types of Sleep Studies
Polysomnogram
A polysomnogram is a sleep study which records a full night’s sleep, including your brain waves, heartbeat, breathing, and the movement of your limbs while sleeping. A polysomnogram usually includes:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) which monitors brain waves
- Electro-oculogram (EOG) which monitors eye movements
- Electromyogram (EMG) monitors muscle activity
- Measurement of airflow through the nose and mouth
- Measurement of chest and abdominal movement
- Audio recording of snoring activity
- Video monitoring the patient during the sleep study
CPAP Study
A CPAP Study establishes the correct equipment levels for CPAP therapy used to treat sleep apnea. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. If a patient shows signs of severe sleep apnea during their overnight sleep study, a CPAP study may be done the same night. This will determine the level of air pressure needed to prevent the collapse of the upper airway due to sleep apnea.
CPAP machines are designed to maintain enough air pressure to keep a patient’s airway open and allow them to sleep.
BiPAP
A BiPAP machine is a breathing apparatus that helps patients get more air into their lungs. BiPAP stands for bilevel positive airway pressure. A BiPAP machine allows one pressure to be set for inhaling and another for exhaling. A sleep physician determines whether or not a patient needs a CPAP or a BiPAP based on the type of sleep apnea and its severity. These machines are especially helpful for patients with neuromuscular disease, congestive heart failure, and lung disorders. Some BiPAP machines even adjust therapy levels while the patient sleeps to ensure they are receiving optimum air pressure for a comfortable, successful sleep experience.
MSLT
A Multiple Sleep Latency Test or MSLT is performed primarily to measure sleep latency which is basically how long it takes you to fall asleep. There is a wide range of what would be considered normal sleep latencies. Sleep physicians know when this test is necessary and are able to gather needed information to diagnose and treat patients. MSLTs are especially helpful in diagnosing excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy.
An MSLT, if required, is performed the day after undergoing a polysomnogram. During the test you will have scheduled naps at intervals throughout the day that are monitored by a sleep technician. Many physiological parameters are also monitored while you sleep. These include breathing, oxygen levels, muscle tone, and eye and extremity movements. An EEG and EKG are also done during this test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients will stay in the lab for a total of 10-11 hours. This time not only includes sleeping, but filling out paperwork and being prepped for the study.
You should bring whatever you need to sleep. Our goal is to make your experience during your in-lab test as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We invite you to bring DVDs, stuffed animals, your own pillows, or any other things that typically help you sleep (no pets please).
Yes, our comfortable beds are fully motorized, so you can raise your head, your feet, or both if necessary. You can enjoy an infinite number of ergonomic rest positions.
We are open seven nights a week, Sunday through Saturday
Sometimes this is necessary to fully diagnose your sleep disorder. If you need to stay for daytime naps (MSLT) we will wake you around 6 am and feed you breakfast and lunch (we have a menu and you can pick what you’d like). You will be taking naps at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm with an additional nap at 4 pm if necessary. You may not have any caffeine during the day.
You should bring whatever your child needs to sleep. Our goal is to make your experience at HSCP as comfortable and pleasant as possible. We invite you to bring DVDs, stuffed animals, your own pillows, or any other non-intrusive things that typically help your child sleep (no pets please). See How To Prepare For Your Child’s Sleep Study.
Sometimes this is necessary to fully diagnose your child’s sleep disorder. If your child needs to stay for daytime naps (MSLT), we will wake him/her at 6 am and feed you and your child breakfast and lunch (we have a menu and you can pick what you’d like). Your child will be taking naps at 8 am, 10 am, 12 m, and 2 pm, with an additional nap at 4 pm if necessary. Your child may not have any caffeine during the day.
There is a separate sleeper chair for the parent in the same room with the child. We encourage you to bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. A DVD player is available to make your child’s stay as pleasant as possible.
For the added protection of your child, we have bed rails to provide parents the comfort of knowing their child is less likely to roll or fall out of bed. We also have a full size crib for those children who may not yet sleep in a bed.
Prepare for Your Sleep Study
- Check in time is after 7:30 at the sleep lab on the evening of your study.
- Bring something comfortable to sleep in and any toiletry items you may need, along with anything that may make you feel more comfortable.
- If you take medications, please take them before you arrive or bring them with you
- Please do not have any caffeinated or alcoholic beverages; drink only decaf or caffeine-free beverages for 8-12 hours before your sleep study.
- Before you arrive, please bathe and wash your hair thoroughly.
- Avoid using hair sprays, hair gels, and body lotions.
- A regular daily activity level should be maintained the day of the study with the exception of taking a nap. Please, do not take naps the day you are to be tested.
- There will be a sleep technologist monitoring your sleep study. The test will be recorded by video camera.
- It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to apply the necessary equipment for your sleep study.
- Cable TV is available in each private room for your entertainment while waiting to begin your test.
- Generally, your sleep study will begin at approximately 10:30 pm or earlier, if possible. Lights are out and TVs are turned off no later than 10:30 pm, as we must try to obtain enough hours of recording time to complete the procedure.
- Your study will end at approximately 6 – 6:30am the following morning, unless ordered or arranged otherwise. Once your equipment is removed, you are free to get dressed and go home, providing a daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) or a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) has not been scheduled.
- If you are scheduled to have an MSLT or MWT, it will follow the overnight test starting in the morning with a series of four or five 20 minute naps. Breakfast and lunch is provided for MSLT patients. The daytime test will end between 3:00 – 4:00 pm.
Note: Please be certain to eat your usual dinner prior to your arrival. Although small snacks are available, evening meals are not provided by the sleep center.
The Gourmet Pantry Deli, located in the lobby of the Excelsior I building, is open from 7:00am to 9:00pm at your expense. You are welcome to bring something to the sleep center.