Polysomnogram
A preparation guide for your overnight sleep study.
Polysomnogram, commonly called as an overnight sleep study, is a method that observes body functions such as brain waves, heart rate, leg movements, and breathing while sleeping. You will be observed by a sleep technologist the whole night. There are various types of sleep studies. Diagnostic studies are used to assess whether you have a sleep disorder. A CPAP Titration (a mask worn over the nose) study is conducted to determine the ideal pressure settings.
A technologist will welcome you between 8:00-8:45 pm in the waiting section of the lab and will guide you to your bedroom. It is important that you report on time. Be sure to have something before you report.
Once you are in your bedroom, you will change into your bedclothes and finish some paperwork. Then the sleep technologist will connect electrodes and sensors. Sensor attachment will be done using collodion (a glue-like substance) and medical tape. Please prepare for this process completely by washing your hair beforehand. After the sensors are in position, you will be able to walk around the bedroom and use the restroom without any help.
You may go to sleep at your normal bedtime within the limitations of the lab etiquette. NOTE: The earlier you go to bed, the more time we have to assess your sleep. Some patients wish to use CPAP during the night.
During the night, a technologist will be available to help you as required.
Usually, we wake up patients at 6 am, unless a later or earlier wake-up time is desirable. The equipment takes around 20 minutes to remove.
What to do before your appointment:
To ensure your appointment goes easily, please:
- Confirm your insurance coverage and carry your current insurance card (you can check the price quotation below).
- Get contact details for either your referring physician or primary care physician (PCP).
- Complete a sleep history questionnaire prior to the appointment.
When to arrive:
Please report 15 minutes earlier than your scheduled appointment for registration and enrollment purposes.
Late Policy
If you are thirthy (30) minutes or later to your scheduled appointment, rescheduling your appointment is necessary. Our late policy is essential to ensure that there is sufficient time for your physician to examine you thoroughly.
Cancellation Policy
If you are not able to make a scheduled appointment, please contact at (951) 698-6629 as soon as possible so we can provide the appointment slot to another patient.
THINGS YOU NEED CARRY FOR OVERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY:
There are a number of important items that you should carry with you, including:
- Suitable bedclothes (preferably two-piece pajamas). Nightgowns and one-piece pajamas sets are not acceptable attire, and nudity is not allowed.
- If you use a CPAP/Bi-level machine carry your current mask. If you do not know your current pressure or have been directed by your sleep physician, bring your CPAP/Bi-level.
- Any prescriptions you may need during the night of the study in the original medication container. Prescription and non-prescription medications are not given at the Sleep Center.
- Personal toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, brush, shampoo, etc.), and a change of clothes for the next day.
- You can also carry reading material a movie to watch or a laptop (Wi-Fi available).
- Please feel easy to bring a special pillow, stuffed animal, or white noise device if wanted. Children should bring favorite blankets, books, or toys.
- No animals or pets are allowed unless medically authorized.
Our location:
39755 Date St., Suite 101 Murrieta, CA 92563
If you have difficulty staying alert while driving, please make arrangements for transportation to and from the lab.
Who can stay with me?
For adults, guests are not allowed to wait overnight. If special assistance is needed, please contact our facility for further information.
For children under 18 years of age, disabled, or dependent patients, we require and permit only one parent or guardian overnight. A rollaway bed is available in the room for the guardian. Sharing a bed is not allowed as it will interfere with sleep study.
About food:
You are requested to have your food before you arrive. You may bring snacks and drinks for refreshments.
Please make sure that you have your dinner prior to the scheduled appointment.
What happens next?
You will get the sleep study report within 2 weeks after your sleep study. If you do not get the report, please call (951) 698-6629.
You should follow up with a doctor to review the outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the test procedure:
Q.Why record all of these things?
A. These parameters are listed to receive accurate data about the condition of sleep to completely describe your sleep problem.
Q.How can I sleep with all of these things on me?
A. The body sensors are applied in a manner that will enable you to turn and move during your sleep. Basically you will not be aware that you are wearing the devices after they have been on for a short time. The lab technical team makes the environment as comfortable as possible, within the constraints of a monitored setting.
Q. Will the sensor devices cause discomfort?
A.Sometimes while preparing the sites for sensor application, there are minor temporary irritations; please do inform us if you have any known sensitivity to particular tapes or if you have a latex allergy.
Q.Can I use my own CPAP/BiPAP machine?
A. Information about your CPAP/BiPAP pressure is recorded as part of your sleep study, therefore lab machines are used. Your physician may instruct you to bring your mask and equipment to your appointment to check the pressure setting.
Q.Can I smoke?
A. Smoking is not allowed within the premises.
What to Expect from Your Child's Sleep Study
We use similar tests to diagnose and eradicate sleep disorders in adults for children. As children are more likely to move sensors during the night time, we prefer to use attended studies rather than home monitoring.
We advise that a parent accompanies a child who spends the night at the Sleep Clinic. We provide the facility for the parent to sleep in the same room to make the child feel comfortable.
What should parents or guardians expect when having their child's sleep studied?
A technologist will welcome you and your child at around 8-8:45 p.m. in the waiting area of the lab.
- There will be paperwork to complete.
- We will apply electrodes and sensors with facility for frequent breaks. Your child may watch television.
- We expect the parents or caregivers to be active participants during the child's sensor installation procedure and remain with the child (under age 18) for the duration of the sleep study. Bedding accommodations are also provided.
- We will attempt to adhere to your child's usual bedtime, if possible.
- Your child will be in a monitored environment during the testing procedure.
- Usually, we begin waking patients at 6 a.m., unless a later or earlier wake up time is desirable. The equipment takes approximately 20 minutes to remove.
- We will provide instruction on CPAP and Bi-level usage, if prescribed.
Things you need to carry for the child's stay in the sleep clinic?
- You will be requested to have your child dress in his/her pajamas (two-piece without feet). NOTE: Nightgowns and one-piece pajama sets are not allowed. If you have queries about proper sleepwear, please contact the lab staff before the child's visit.
- You can carry the child's books, toys, a favorite stuffed animal, special pillow and/or blanket, white noise device.
- You should bring your child's prescriptions or special food needed during his/her stay in the clinic, such as milk bottles. The lab does not provide any of these items.
- You must bring your child's toiletries (diapers, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, brush, etc.), and a change of clothes for the next day.
- You are requested to keep the valuables at home as management is not responsible for any theft or loss.
- One parent or guardian must accompany all minors and must stay overnight with the patient. The technologist team will expect the assistance of a parent/guardian during the night.
- A roll away bed is provided in each room for one adult accompanying the child during the night.
- Please do not bring animals, unless medically authorized.
- Please bring a list of prescriptions your child is currently taking.
- If your child uses a CPAP/Bi-level machine, please do not bring the child's machine or devices unless requested by a sleep physician.
A brief note on polysomnogram:
Polysomnogram is a test that estimates body functions during sleep. Performing a sleep study on a child is the same as conducting a study on an adult. During the night of study, the child will sleep at our lab and be monitored by sleep technologists.
Each test will differ depending on the different cases, but some analyses taken may involve:
- Brain waves (EEG) - (surface electrodes on the child's scalp)
- Eye movements (EOG) - (surface electrodes next to the child's eyes)
- Muscle movements (EMG) - (surface electrodes on and under the child's chin)
- Limb movements (EMG) - (surface electrodes on the child's lower legs)
- Heart rate (ECG) - (surface electrodes on the child's chest)
- Breathing (Nasal/Oral) - (sensors placed onto the skin near the child's nose and mouth)
- Breathing (Respiratory) - (small, elastic bands placed around the child's chest and abdomen or surface electrodes placed on the child's rib cage)
- Blood Oxygen Levels (SpO2) - (small probe attached to the child's finger, and not taken from actual blood samples removed from the child's veins)
- Esophageal Pressure (Pes) - (small tube inserted into the nose and placed within the child's esophagus [food tube] to monitor the child's work of breathing)
- Video Recording - (the child's body movements will be recorded)
Other body functions may be recorded to answer special questions such as CO2, seizures, and movement activity.
In some instances, testing may occur during the daytime in place of an overnight study as ordered by the child's sleep physician.
Sensor attachment will be done using collodion (a glue-like substance) which can be removed. Please be prepared beforehand by washing the child's hair completely before the appointment. In some circumstances, a paste adhesive will be used to attach the electrodes and the child's head will be covered with a bandage to keep them in place. Other electrodes and devices are attached with hypo-allergenic tape.
What is the use of these recordings?
Interrupted sleep can disturb daytime activities, and some medical problems that occur while sleeping involve a risk to health. These parameters are recorded to get accurate data about the condition of sleep to define the child's sleep problem.
Will the child be comfortable with all these things?
Most utmost children sleep soundly in the lab. They might be worried about the hook-up, depending on their age, but our skilled technologists will manage to encourage them. The body sensors are applied in such a way that will allow the child to turn and move while sleeping. The technologist team interacts with everybody involved: parents, guardians, and the child to make the testing environment easy and comfortable. It is advisable to have a parent along with the child during the stay as it makes them feel secure and comfortable. All children must be in the company of a parent, guardian or family member during their stay.
Will the sensor devices cause uneasiness?
Not at all! Seldom, in preparing the sites for sensor application there are moderate temporary irritations; please notify us if the child has any known allergy to particular tapes or if he or she has a latex sensitivity. Some children feel temporary discomfort associated with the Pes (esophageal pressure manometry) procedure. However, this does not usually cause any notable discomfort.
About the meal service:
The lab is an outpatient facility. Please make sure the child eats the dinner before arrival at 8-8:45 P.M. Please bring snacks and drinks along with you if so desired.
Things that should be kept in mind while visiting the clinic:
The lab begins at 8-8:45 p.m. for overnight studies. Your child must arrive on time. If you need to cancel the child's overnight sleep appointment, please call (951) 698-6629. The main entry is secured at 8 p.m.; lab personnel will let you into the building after this time.
Smoking is strictly prohibited on the premises.
What happens to the recorded data?
The recording of the child's sleep test will be stored. It will be examined in detail by a technologist and interpreted by a physician and our clinical staff. The sleep study results will be sent to you and the physician who referred the child to the lab. Once you have received the child's results, please contact the clinic at (951) 698-6629 to schedule an appointment, where the results of the child's sleep study and treatment plan will be discussed in detail with the child's sleep physician.
