Sleep Lab Special Instructions

Sleep Well, Live Well

Your physician has scheduled you for a sleep study with Carolinas HealthCare System Sleep Medicine. To better prepare you for this procedure we ask that you please read the following information. You will receive a call from our schedulers up to three days prior to your appointment, it is very important that we speak with you to confirm and review instructions. Please contact our offices if you have any immediate questions or concerns.

Please plan to arrive to your sleep lab location at 8:00 p.m.

*If for any reason, you need to cancel or reschedule your study we ask that you call our offices at least 48 hours prior to the date of your procedure. Failure to notify the Sleep Center of cancellation without 48 hours' notice will result in an administrative charge ($75) to the patient. Our sleep center office, not your physician's office, must be notified. Insurance will not pay this cancellation fee.

The technologist will escort you to your bedroom where you will complete some paperwork. Each bedroom has a full or queen-sized bed, TV recliner and home-style decor. During the hook-up process, "sensors" are placed on your scalp, face, chest, abdomen, legs and finger. The purpose of these sensors is to monitor your sleep patterns, oxygen levels, heartbeat, breathing, and limb movements. In addition to these sensors, we will also be recording the audio and video during the procedure. This is a painless procedure. Once the hook-up process is complete, you may watch TV, read or just relax until you are ready for bed. In most cases, the procedure will be completed by 7:30 a.m. the next morning.

The following are a few things we ask of our patients:

1. Since the sensors are placed on the skin and scalp, we ask that all patients please bathe and shampoo their hair before coming to the sleep center. Do not use hair or skin products, such as sprays, oils, gels or lotions (you may use deodorant/antiperspirant). Remove all makeup and acrylic fingernails.
   
   
2. No alcohol or caffeine (coffee, soft drinks) consumed after noon the day of the study.
   
   
3. Unless otherwise instructed by your sleep physician, take all prescription medications.
   
   
4. We ask that you avoid taking naps the day of your study.
   
   
5. Please eat supper before reporting to the sleep center.
   
   
6. Bring two-piece pajamas, or a T-shirt and shorts to sleep in. We have found that bringing your own regular pillow may help you adapt more quickly to sleeping in the Sleep Center. Please do not leave your pillow in the morning.
   
   
7. For your own safety, smoking is not permitted in the Sleep Center or anywhere on campus.
   
   
8. We ask that friends and family that accompany you to the Sleep Center not remain during the procedure. A parent or guardian of children or care providers for patients with special needs will need to stay.

To avoid any misunderstandings about insurance coverage, we urge you to contact your insurance carrier far in advance of the night of your study to verify coverage. The financial representative at your referring physician's office can assist you in obtaining pre-authorization.