Free Sleep Screening - ApneaLink

I just got a call from an affiliate for our local hospital's sleep clinic asking if I would be interested in a FREE IN-HOME SLEEP SCREENING. (I'm hoping to get my husband to agree!)

Here is info from a site I found that is also offering the same type of free in home screening.

Free ApneaLink™ Screening
We offer free ApneaLink™ screenings as a community awareness project to help people determine whether they have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). If the screening detects abnormal breathing patterns during sleep then a Sleep Study may be recommended to determine the exact cause of the breathing sleep disorder and what treatment would be recommended.

How do I take the ApneaLink™ study?
Simply call us and make an appointment to pick up the device. We will instruct you on how to use it. Then just take it home, use it that night and bring it back the next day.

How does ApneaLink™ work?
ApneaLink™ is a simple, comfortable device that is worn during sleep.

ApneaLink™ prints out a report that clearly shows whether the individual's night time breathing is in the normal range or if they suspect a pathological breathing disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

What do I do with the ApneaLink™ report?
The report is made available to you, as well as to your primary care physician who can then write an order for a complete overnight sleep study at the center, if it's determined necessary. If you don't have a primary care physician, you can see one of Endeavor's sleep medicine physicians.

Here is a picture and brief explanation:
http://www.endeavortherapy.com/freescreening.htm

Here is a news report on the Endeavor's sleep screening offer:
http://www.biztimes.com/news/2006/8/4/sleep-monitor

Here is a .pdf Validation (of ApneaLink) Report from AASM:
http://www.aasmnet.org/JCSM/AcceptedPap ... eaLink.pdf

And here is Resmed's more detailed info on ApneaLink itself:
http://www.resmed.com/en-au/products/cl ... alink.html

And for the curious, a link to the 2007 HCPCS codes for apnea equipment:
http://www.resmed.com/en-us/dealers/rei ... t-2007.pdf

Not to belittle this, I'm thrilled it's being offered, but....

Can't you just hook your suspected OSA patient up to an APAP for the night and read his/her charts in the morning?

I'm tempted to do this to my Dad. Of course, it means a night without the machine for ME, so....

LOL,
B.

Slinky wrote:I just got a call from an affiliate for our local hospital's sleep clinic asking if I would be interested in a FREE IN-HOME SLEEP SCREENING. (I'm hoping to get my husband to agree!)

Here is info from a site I found that is also offering the same type of free in home screening.

Hmm...looks like the hospital is doing what ResMed suggests:

Introducing ApneaLink™ with oximetry ... your link to increased business and improved patient care.

I guess the only downside is that the hospital wants you to do all of your business with them--at, I presume, high prices...

Thanks, Slinky! There are 3 people I know who are not covered by insurance. I'm going to try and find out if there's a free screening place anywhere near them (Northern Ohio).

If you discover anything about other places, please let me know. I'll do the same.

Found this at the Resmed website: no date on it.

ResMed is also currently sponsoring a study involving the use of a sleep apnea screener in the home.

If...

you are 18 years of age or older,
live in the Pittsburgh, PA area,
have suspected SDB and are scheduled for a sleep study or are willing to have a sleep study,
and are willing to use the device at home
...contact the study coordinator below for more information about the clinical trial being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center:

Skip Drumheller, EdD, RRT
Sr. Research Manager
UPMC—Montefiore
3459 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5-S639.11
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-692-2880

Why not call Resmed direct, explain the situation and ask them if they can refer you to any of these free ApneaLink screenings?

Thanks, Slinky! That's really helpful. I'm calling them first thing on Monday when I get a break at work.

Well, hubby wouldn't go w/me to pick up the ApneaLink. I had explained to the sleep lab lady that he might be resistant but also his symptoms that have been going on for years and that they just had to double his BP med. She suggested I take it home anyway and encourage him to try it.

No dice. He absolutely refused. *sigh* The ApneaLink itself is even smaller than any of the overnight oximeter recorders I've been given in the past. There is a nasal cannula as used to administer 02, plus a finger sensor as with the overnight oximeter. There is also a band to go around the chest but it does nothing except to help keep the ApneaLink unit close by and not pulling on the nasal cannula. The sleep lab suggested we not even bother w/it, just place the ApneaLink near the edge or slightly under your pillow on the middle of the bed side.

The nasal cannula measures your nasal expiratory pressue, something that a regular overnight oximetry cannot do. The finger sensor measures your blood oxygen level just as the overnight oximeters do. You push a button to turn it on at night and when you get up in the morning for the day you push the button 3 times to be sure it is turned off (the 3 pushes are to ensure that it isn't accidentally turned off during the night).

To say I'm disappointed, even heartbroken is an understatement. I've got 43 wonderful years invested in this bullheaded Frenchman. He's been snoring loudly, including quitting breathing for years. He has slow rhythmic leg movements, he sometimes talks in his sleep, he has nightmares fairly frequently, he wakes during the night and can't get back to sleep and just lays there ..... ah well, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

He is otherwise apparently healthy except for high BP and somewhat overweight (beer gut type). He's a work-aholic. He's had to give up his sports activities due to several back surgeries but still remains active around the house and yard. On the other hand, he can't watch a full 1/2 hour of TV w/o falling asleep. He's often in bed by 8:30 and up by 7:30.

Grrrrr! Men! I do NOT want to be a widow!!

Rosemary, have you been able to find ApneaLink available anywhere near any of your friends?? If not their doctor "should" be able to order an overnight oximetry, especially if they are on Medicare, at no charge or for a minimal fee.

Slinky,
Sorry to hear how resistant your hubby is being. If you sneaked a little hand held recorder on his pillow after he goes to sleep, would he even listen to it? It has to be difficult to know what you know but not be able to get him to listen. While it feels good to be able to help strangers here, having someone you love who won't let you help them has to hurt. Hope he comes around soon.
Kathy

I used the Apnealink its pretty simple, they used it in between my studies since the first study I didnt sleep enough. Its not as accurate but it gives you an idea if you have sleep apnea or not after the machine said I did they still had to have me come back in and do a full test to find out specifics. They gave me a sleeping pill that time.