Sleep and Wake Disorders Centers
Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness can cause or make serious health
problems worse and interfere with work and other activities. Sleep apnea,
snoring, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome are just some of the 95
identified sleep disorders from which patients suffer.
But, through comprehensive testing at the Mary Washington Hospital Sleep
and Wake Disorders Center or the Stafford Hospital Sleep and Wake Disorders
Center, we can diagnose and help create a course of treatment for your
sleep problem.
Our Board-Certified Sleep Specialists and Expert Staff
The Sleep and Wake Disorders Center of Fredericksburg and the Stafford
Hospital Sleep and Wake Disorders Center have state licensed registered
polysomnography technicians (RPSGTs) to conduct your study. In addition,
there are board-certified sleep medicine physicians to interpret your
sleep studies.
We are Accredited
Both the Sleep and Wake Disorders Center of Fredericksburg and Stafford
Hospital Sleep and Wake Disorders Center are accredited by the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
The AASM is a professional organization dedicated to assuring quality care
for patients with sleep disorders, promoting the advancement of sleep
research, and providing public and professional education. An accredited
sleep disorders program is a significant resource to the local medical
community and public. Accreditation by the AASM assures quality patient
care through comprehensive clinical evaluation and treatment.
AASM accreditation is the gold standard by which other organizations and
companies evaluate sleep programs. This is reflected by the fact that
in many states insurance companies require sleep studies to be conducted
only at an AASM-accredited facility.
To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed
all standards for professional quality health as designated by the Academy.
This process involves a detailed inspection of a center's facility
and staff including employing skilled and qualified staff, creating and
maintaining a clean and comfortable environment, developing and maintaining
a quality assurance plan, and adhering to evidence-based practice parameters.
Additionally, the facility's goals must be clearly stated and include
plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community
it serves.
Why Shouldn’t I Choose Any Sleep Lab?
Any physicians can operate a sleep lab, without training in sleep medicine
and without certification by an accrediting body. Some physicians who
claim to be sleep specialists may have no formal, fellowship training
in sleep medicine, or they may have trained only during a short course
lasting several days. While some non-accredited laboratories provided
excellent service, we believe that patients deserve a board-certified
sleep medicine physician and an AASM-accredited sleep lab.
What We Offer
The Mary Washington Hospital Sleep and Wake Disorders Center and Stafford
Hospital Sleep Lab offer evaluations that are conducted through various
overnight and specialized daytime sleep studies. Studies are conducted
in a comfortable, home-like environment. Rooms have been designed to be
like a hotel, and are equipped with a full-size bed, flat-screen TV with
DVD player, and individual bathroom.
Sleep studies are available for children and adults. We ask that an adult
remains with any patient who is a minor throughout the study.
Our Sleep Centers offer the following diagnostic testing:
- Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT)
- Polysomnogram (PSG)
- CPAP/BIPAP Titrations
- Split Night Sleep Study (PSG/CPAP)
- Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) with Polysomnogram
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
- O2 Titration Study
Think You Have a Sleep Problem?
We encourage you to make an appointment with your primary care physician
to discuss your symptoms. You may then be referred for a sleep study.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? (OSA)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea is very common. Twenty-six percent of adults are
at high risk to develop OSA. Six to nine percent of men and two to six
percent of women already have OSA while most have not been diagnosed.
- Many children have OSA because of large tonsils or obesity.
- A major risk factor is obesity but not all people who have OSA are overweight.
- The most common symptoms are loud snoring, stopping breathing during sleep,
daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
- Other symptoms include: restless sleep, snorting and gasping during sleep,
not feeling refreshed upon awakening and morning headaches.
- OSA is known to be a cause of or associated with:
- High blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Auto accidents (2nd leading cause)
- Impaired concentration and memory
- Unexplained death during sleep
- In children, OSA is a cause of poor daytime performance at home and school.
Children felt to have learning disabilities should be evaluated for sleep
apnea. Tonsillectomy is usually curative when tonsils are enlarged.
- Alcohol and sedatives worsen OSA.
- Diagnosis is established by a sleep study (polysomnogram) done in a sleep
lab such as the Mary Washington Hospital or Stafford Hospital Sleep and
Wake Disorders Center.
- Treatment measures include weight loss and avoidance of alcohol and sedatives
before sleep. Specific treatment is with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure). CPAP has been shown to reverse symptoms and reduce the associated
medical problems. Dental devices may help if CPAP is not tolerated.
Do you have sleep apnea?
- Do you snore loudly?
- Has anyone observed you stopping breathing in your sleep?
- Do you feel sleepiness or fatigue frequently during the day?
- Do you have, or are you being treated for high blood pressure?
If you answered yes to 2 or more of these questions, you have a high risk
for having obstructed sleep apnea.
We Offer 2 Sleep Lab Locations
Depending on capacity and the sleep study required, you will be scheduled
to arrive at one of our two facilities:
How to schedule a sleep study
Sleep studies can only be obtained with a physician’s order. If you
suspect that you have a sleep disorder, please discuss your concerns with
your physician. Your physician will fax a prescription for the sleep study
and office notes to 540-741-7832. You will be contacted to schedule an
appointment once we receive this information.
Patient Preparation Instructions for Sleep Study
Please review the
patient preparation instructions for your sleep study prior to your visit.
Sleep Questionnaire
Please complete a
Patient History and Sleep Questionnaire prior to your visit.
