AllMed Healthcare: Streamlining Sleep Apnea Diagnoses (Polysomnography)
(PRLEAP.COM) AllMed Healthcare Management Medical Specialist Stephen Baez has recently authored a feature article “Streamlining Sleep Apnea Diagnoses” that is featured on the AllMed Healthcare website. The article may be viewed by clicking the following link: http://www.allmedmd.com/resources/articles/sleep.htmTraditionally, sleep apnea sleep studies take place over two different nights. During the first night, obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed. During the second night, the doctor adjusts (or titrates) continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure (CPAP or BiPAP) to levels that eliminate or significantly reduce the number of respiratory abnormalities (apneas and hypopneas).
To save time and money, many sleep centers are now doing split-night sleep studies on patients. Here, During the first part of the night, sleep specialists diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the second half determine the appropriate level of positive airway pressure (CPAP or BiPAP). The patient must fall asleep promptly and demonstrate an elevated RDI (Respiratory Disturbance Index) early in the evening for a split night study to work…about 25-30% of patients meet these guidelines. If this happens, the patient is awakened and fitted with a CPAP mask, which is adjusted to eliminate the respiratory events (which is the therapeutic portion of the study). If the patient fails to meet thes split-night sleep study guidelines, the doctor follows the “traditional” procedures for a two night sleep study.
More information on AllMed and the company’s specialty medical review services can be found on AllMed’s web site at http://www.allmedmd.com/ .
About AllMed Healthcare Management
Founded in 1995, AllMed (http://www.allmedmd.com/) is a URAC-accredited Independent Review Organization (IRO) serving insurance payers, providers, TPAs and claims managers nationwide. Reviews are conducted by board-certified physicians in active practice. AllMed’s growing customer base includes premier organizations, such as Educator’s Mutual Life, IMS Managed Care, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, HealthGuard, several Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Allianz and many other leading healthcare payers.
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