What to Expect at Sleep Associates of Connecticut
Before a sleep study can be ordered, you must first have a consultation with either one of our sleep specialists. During the consultation, the doctor will review your sleep concerns, symptoms, and past medical history. Based on this analysis, the doctor will decide if a sleep study is necessary for diagnosis and treatment.
If a sleep study is ordered, our office will arrange a time for you to come to the lab. Upon arriving you will be greeted by our friendly staff of night technicians, who will show you to your room. You will be allowed time to relax and get comfortable. Before bedtime, your technician will apply electrodes with tape or paste. These will be applied to your scalp, face, chest, and legs. The electrodes will monitor brain waves, muscle movement, and your heart rhythm.
Elastic bands will be placed around your chest and abdomen that monitor breathing activity, and a sensor will be taped under your nose to monitor the airflow when you breathe. An additional sensor will be taped to your finger to monitor the oxygen saturation of your blood. None of this equipment is invasive and will not cause pain in the application or while wearing during the night.
After these devices are attached, the wires will be connected to a small box that can be worn around your neck while you are up. When you go to bed, the technician will connect this box to a cable that leads to the machines in the sleep lab control room. You will be free to use the bathroom during the night; however, you must call the technician to disconnect you from the equipment beforehand. Once your study is complete, the sensors will be removed and you will be served breakfast and given time to shower.
In the morning after your study, your doctor will review the previous night’s study with you and determine the best course of action with treatment. If you require CPAP equipment, in most cases we can set you up with the needed device before you leave in the morning.
If you have any questions, please call us at 203-909-6950.
COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. What should I bring?
A. Pack as you would for an overnight stay at a friend’s house. For the benefit of your privacy and comfort, please bring appropriate and comfortable nightclothes (such as T-shirts and sweat pants or pajama top and bottoms). Staff members will be in the general testing area. Review the recommended checklist below to insure that you have everything you might need. Also please bring the directions and forms that you received with your package.
Q. Will I have a private bedroom?
A. Yes, you will have a private bedroom which will include a private bathroom with shower.
Q. What about medications?
A. Please take your medications as usual and bring them to the center if necessary. We also recommend that you discuss your medications with your physician.
Q. Can I wear nail polish?
A. If you wear nail polish we might have to remove it from at least one finger to obtain a good signal from the oxygen sensor.
Q. Should I have dinner?
A. Please eat dinner before arrival. You may bring a snack if you wish, Dinner will not be provided.
Q. Can I have a nap?
A. It is important that you avoid napping on the day of the study.
Q. Can I have caffeine?
A. Avoid caffeine (coffee, colas, chocolates, etc.) after 12:00 noon on the day of the study.
Q. Should I take a shower before the study?
A. You may find that a shower before arriving at the sleep center will make you feel more relaxed.
Wash and dry your hair and do not apply any sprays, lotions, oils, gels, or make-up.
Q. What if I am running late?
A. Please contact our lab directly and let us know of your approximate time of arrival.
Q. What if I have special needs?
A. Please call our office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the sleep study procedure.
Q. What happens when I get to the Sleep Associates Sleep Facilities?
A. Once you arrive at the center, a sleep technologist will welcome you and introduce you to your room. Our technologist will ask you to fill out some forms and will explain what to expect.
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Our technologists have been specially trained to monitor your sleep during the night. They will apply small sensors to your head, chest area and legs. Elastic bands will be placed around your chest and abdomen. These monitors will be connected to wires that attach to our recording equipment. Once the electrodes are applied you may have some free time to relax before bedtime.
Q. How will the electrodes be applied?
A. We will use a medical adhesive, which will be easily removed in the morning after testing.
Q. What do the sensors do?
A. They will help us record brain wave activity, eye movement, muscle contractions, heart activity and your breathing during sleep.
Q. Will I be able to sleep with the electrodes and wires?
A. You may find them a bit strange at first, but most people do not find them uncomfortable or an obstacle to falling asleep. We will make every effort to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible. If a problem arises, our technologist will make adjustments.
Every bedroom has an open intercom that will enable you to communicate with our technologist at any time. If you need to use the bathroom during the night, our technologists will assist and disconnect you temporarily.
Q. When will I wake up?
A. If you are not already awake, you will be awakened between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Q. What do I have to know after the study?
A. A large amount of information is collected during your sleep study. Within a few days, a sleep specialist from the Sleep Associates of Connecticut will interpret this information. On the night of your study our sleep technologists cannot provide you with any information about your testing results. We will contact you as soon as possible to determine treatment options.
Q. When will my doctor receive my results?
A. It usually takes 7-10 days for your doctor to receive your formal report. You may need to schedule a follow-up visit with your physician to discuss the findings and recommendations for treatment. If you initially had seen one of our specialists, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. Our staff will go over this information when you come in for your initial sleep study.
Q. What happens if I am scheduled for a Nap Study?
A. Your doctor may have ordered an additional test called a Multiple Latency Sleep Test (MSLT) as part of your overall evaluation. This means that you will need to stay at the center for most of the following day for a series of brief naps. The naps are scheduled throughout the day. You are more than welcome to bring reading materials, puzzles or any other entertainment items that will help you pass the time.
Recommended Checklist:
- Comfortable night clothes or pajamas/Bathrobe/Slippers
- Toiletries
- Change of clothes for morning
- Reading material, puzzles or other entertainment items
- Snacks
- Prescription Medications if required
- Directions to the Sleep Associates of Connecticut (map)
- Forms that you received with your package