Welcome to Sleep Center
The Northwestern Sleep Center offers diagnostic services for people suffering from sleep disorders. Sleep tests are performed in our sleep lab located within our main hospital building and offer a comfortable, quiet atmosphere. Our private sleep rooms are equipped with a full-sized bed, a reclining chair and a sound machine. Dr. Haitham Nsour, a board-certified sleep medicine physician, leads the sleep center services.
Northwestern Sleep Center can help with conditions or sleep disorders that affect a person’s ability to get quality sleep, including:
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Restless leg syndrome
- Periodic limb movement disorder
- Narcolepsy
- Sleepwalking
- Seasonal affective disorder
Northwestern Sleep Center has the distinction of being accredited by the American College of Sleep Medicine.
Key services
- Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT)
- Narcolepsy
- Polysomnography (PSG)
- Sleep tests
How to schedule a sleep study:
Are you a patient?
Individuals require a referral and prior authorization to have a sleep study.
If you’d like to be evaluated, we can walk you through the process of asking for a referral from your primary care provider or scheduling an appointment with our board-certified pulmonologist, Dr. Nsour.
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Are you a provider?
Please contact us so we can help you provide a referral with the correct supporting documentation. All tests must be justified.
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Not ready to call? Fill out our form for more information »
1. Arriving to your sleep study
Check-in for your sleep study at your scheduled time. Once you change into your pajamas or night clothes, the technologist will begin the setup. The technologist will spend about 45-60 minutes placing the electrodes and sensors on you. The wires take a little getting used to but should not be uncomfortable.
2. After setup is complete
Relax in your room until it is time to begin the study. Please plan on turning off the lights before 11 pm.
3. During your sleep study
During the night, if you need to get out of bed or need water, an extra pillow, or some other need, simply push the intercom button. This connects you to your sleep technologist. If you need to get out of bed, the sleep tech will disconnect the main cable. This is a simple step that does not inconvenience you, the technologist, or the study itself.
4. When the sleep study is complete
The sleep study typically ends between 5:45 and 6:00 AM. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to remove the electrodes and sensors. You may plan for an earlier wake-up time to accommodate your schedule if you need more time to get ready or need to leave earlier. Please discuss this with the sleep technologist before bedtime to ensure adequate sleep time.
5. Your results
Results are read by the sleep medicine doctor and then the results are reviewed with you by the physician that ordered the sleep study. Please note, the technologist is not allowed to discuss results before the sleep medicine doctor has read/ interpreted the study. Please understand that it may take up to 2-3 weeks for the results to be read and sent to the ordering physician.
Do’s
- Follow your usual daily routine before the sleep study to ensure the best quality of sleep.
- Take all medications as usual prior to arrival for your sleep study.
- Make sure your hair is clean and dry.
- Minimize facial hair to help with the application of sensors.
Dont’s
- Wear nail polish or artificial nails to your sleep study as it can effect some of the monitoring.
- Drink alcohol, take naps or have caffeine the day of your study.
- Wear lotions to your sleep study.
- Wear a one-piece pajama set (including nightgowns). It makes placing the sensors and wiring difficult.
FAQs about our sleep studies
Your health insurance may pay for some or all of your sleep study expenses. However, insurance plans can vary widely. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company to determine what charges you may be responsible for (i.e. your out-of-pocket expense such as co-pay or deductible).
No. Each room is private with a full bed and sound machines.
We encourage you to bring any juice or snacks that you would usually have before bed. You may also bring an iPad or tablet if you usually watch media before going to sleep. Don't forget any chargers you may need for your devices. Please bring pajamas or night clothes as well.
No. You will be observed with a camera by the sleep tech in a room nearby.
Please make the Sleep Center aware if you need help using the bathroom or transferring in/out of bed. We may ask that you bring someone with you to assist that can stay overnight.
If you need to get up, simply call the sleep technician using the intercom. The technologist will come and disconnect the main cable and then you will be free to get out of bed. This is a simple step that will cause no inconvenience to you or the technologist and will not affect the study.
Yes. Please note this may not be your best night’s sleep for a work day. There are no shower facilities in the Sleep Center, so please plan accordingly.
The study generally ends between 5:45-6:00 AM.
The technologist is not allowed to discuss preliminary results with you. The study must be read by the pulmonologist. Your results will be reviewed with you by the physician that ordered your sleep study. Please understand that it may take up to 2-3 weeks for the results to be read by the pulmonologist and sent to your physician.
Meet our Provider
Resources:
Do you have a CPAP machine that is no longer in use? Consider donating it!
Click the link below to learn how to donate your CPAP machine to the American Sleep Apnea Association. The association also helps patients with financial assistance for CPAP machines and masks.