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Sandy Walter, Chief of Operations at Okanogan Douglas Hospital, was the first case study.
Sleep Medicine Center
First Case Study
February 17, 2005
Sandy Walter, Chief Operations Officer for Okanogan Douglas Hospital, was the first patient to use the newly opened Sleep Medicine Center. Sandy’s experience is as follows:
· Sandy secured a referral from her family physician after recent surgery identified a potential heart block.
· A consultation with Dr. Larry Smith, internal medicine physician and sleep medicine specialist, led to an appointment with the SMC.
· She arrived at the Okanogan Douglas Hospital Sleep Medicine Center at 7:30PM on February 15th to complete paperwork in preparation for the procedure. The paperwork covered such items as general health, sleep habits, current feelings, etc. This took approximately one hour.
· She then changed into her pajamas and the sleep technologist began the process of connecting her to the machines. From head to toe, electlodes were positioned. EKG leads were affixed to belts which fit on her upper chest and waist. “While it was a bit intimidating when my head was being hooked up, it was not painful,” Sandy shared. A microphone was put next to her mouth to monitor breathing noise. A small infrared camera in the ceiling allowed the technologist to monitor movement from a different room. A small speaker on the bed’s headboard allowed for open communication from Sandy to the technologist. Once the hook-up is complete, the subject can get up from the bed but only with assistance from the technologist.
· Sandy was given Ambien, a non-addictive sleep aid to insure proper rest. At 8:30PM, Sandy went to sleep.
· She awoke at 5:15AM, her usual time to arise, and felt rested and ready to start her day.
Sandy’s diagnosis is a healthy one. While she snores 4.6% of the time, this is considered normal. Other key factors were in the normal range. It will not be necessary for Sandy to pursue any further treatment.
Colton Pearson, Director of the Sleep Medicine Center, shares that the process normally requires two visits to the SMC ---- one for diagnosis and one for treatment.
For more information regarding the Sleep Medicine Center, contact Colton at 509-689-2517 or visit SMC’s website at www.odhsleepmedicinecenter.com
Here Bev is explaining to Sandy what each step of the study is going to reveal.
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