Split Night Study
What Is A Split Night Study?
The Split Night Study is a painless test that determines what type and degree of sleep apnea you have, as well as the level and type of PAP (positive airway pressure) therapy is most appropriate for you. This test is typically done at night and a trained sleep technologist supervises the sleep study.
When you arrive for your sleep study, a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will be at the site to greet you and show you to your room. After you make yourself comfortable, your technologist will take a brief history, explain the study process, and answer any questions you may have.
Next, your technologist will ask you questions about how you believe you breathe during the night in order to assess what type of mask will work best for you. In case you meet the criteria to have a CPAP mask during the night, you’ll be fitted with one at this time and given time to relax quietly with the mask on so you can get comfortable with it.
What To Expect
Getting Ready
First, the technologist will use stickers to affix leads on your legs and chest. You will also have two belts placed around your chest and abdomen that monitor your body’s efforts to breathe.
Next, your head will be marked and measured with a paper ruler and a grease pencil. This is done because each electrode on your head needs to be in a precise location. Once this is complete, a skin prep jelly will be applied to clean the scalp for the electrodes.
Electrodes are then placed on the surface of your scalp with a small amount of paste. The prep, paste, and tape are hypoallergenic.
You'll also have a nasal cannula (similar to an oxygen cannula) to monitor your breathing. You will not receive oxygen during your PSG.
This process is completely painless and generally takes about 40 minutes to make sure everything is placed correctly.
Testing
Once you’re fitted with the sensors, you can relax in your room, catch up on phone calls, enjoy Smart/Cable/Vios TV, Wi-Fi, or read until "Lights Out" at 11pm. Yes, you may eat, drink, and use the bathroom throughout the night! We want you to feel comfortable and relax as you would at home prior to going to sleep. You may bring your own food/snacks. Should you need to get up at all during the night, simply let your technologist know.
During the first portion of the test, your technologist will be monitoring the type and severity of apnea you may have. If you’ve had enough sleep and your apnea meets the severity threshold, your technologist will come in to apply your mask. They will awaken you gently, remove the monitoring cannula from your nose, and place your mask on you. If you don’t have a mask applied that doesn’t mean you don’t have apnea--it just means there wasn’t enough sleep time or a severe enough degree of apnea that would allow CPAP therapy to be started.
Your technologist will monitor your sleep throughout the study and will be available to answer questions and ensure you’re comfortable.
All Done, Now What?
When the study is done in the morning, the technologist will waken you and remove the wires and sensors. Any remaining paste or marks can be easily washed out using warm water and shampoo.
If you were fitted with a mask during the night, you will typically be contacted within 7-10 days by the durable medical equipment (DME) vendor you have selected to schedule picking up your PAP therapy device.
If you weren’t fitted with a mask during the night you’ll be scheduled for a follow up appointment with your provider to review the results of your study.
