We wanted to post some information in response to Steve G's review of 4/20/10. I am the Patient Care Coordinator at Sierra Sleep Diagnostics. He has contacted our office, so we were able to communicate this with him; however, we want to address the concerns publically as well.
Patients are referred to our lab for overnight sleep testing. This is a diagnostic study to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and/or respiratory disturbance issues causing a disruption in sleep. It is clearly stated in our welcome packet that is sent to every new patient what to expect on the night of testing, including notification that the patient will be hooked up to several different monitoring leads (electrodes). We certainly understand this being uncomfortable but again, this is a medical test and is part of undergoing sleep testing. The use of wires and electrodes is found in any sleep clinic. Unfortunately, there will be times in which other patients may be a disturbance, as with Mr. G's complaint of snoring from the next room. This is why we do make available to our patients a pair of Max Lite earplugs should they be needed. I, myself, have used this brand of earplugs and find them to be very effective at blocking out noise.
We do not have any technicians who are completing their training. We currently have three technicians, two of whom are trained and will be taking their registry this year as well as a lead technician who is already a board registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT).
At the time of scheduling, Mr. G was notified that he would have a deductible to meet. This is something all patients are notified of so they know up front because many patients have quite a high deductible and may wish to hold off if that hasn't been met. Mr. G agreed to the deductible, so he was scheduled for testing. He has made payments on his deductible and, therefore, has received different statement amounts as that has been paid down. Once his insurance paid their portion, Mr. G had a coinsurance to meet so, therefore, he received a new statement reflecting this.
Finally, it is true that we are not yet accredited with the AASM. We are in the process of doing so; however, this cannot even be done until a facility has received its Medicare provider number. We received our provider number in July 2009; however, we have spent the last 15 months battling with Palmetto GBA to have our effective date corrected and this was only recently accomplished. It can take up to two years to be accredited; however, we are in full compliance with all the requirements for AASM accreditation.
We do our very best to make your experience in our facility a good one. We have sleep number beds so that patients can adjust the pressure setting for their individual needs. We have large screen TVs in each room with Comcast cable so that you can listen to music or watch television to wind down before testing begins. The owners of the sleep lab spared no expense in creating a spa-like environment so that you don't have to undergo this testing in a "clinical" setting. Please visit our website at www.goodsleep4u.com and see pictures and meet our staff! Thank you!! read more
