How hard to get a copy of your sleep study results?

I had a 2 night sleep study done at an outpatient medical facility on October 24, 2007 and October 25, 2007. I had already requested that I be provided with a detailed copy of my study before my testing had even started. As soon as the doctor at the lab had interpreted my report and signed it I received a copy of it in the mail on November 08, 2007.



Stevoreno
Biloxi, Mississippi
01/01/08

Julie wrote:I don't know about laws in the U.S., but here in Canada, the results of any test must FIRST come from your MD, then there's no problem getting whatever you want for your records. It sounds to me like you're trying to get records before your MD gives results to you (and presumably interprets them, etc.) and techs, labs, nurses, etc. will never give them to you before they know the doctor has.

In my case that's exactly what I am trying to accomplish. I do this routinely in other areas of ongoing care. It helps a lot, for me, to review the results ahead of time, before the doctor appointment.

Doctors often glance at results, make comments, write perscriptions, ask if you have questions and leave. In this short process they often miss odd things on reports. Also, if I haven't looked at the report how do I know what my questions are? More than once, a doctor has appeared "done" and I'll ask "what about this result?" and he'll respond "I hadn't noticed that."

I don't say this as a ding on doctors as I realize they have a pressing schedule. But I do want the best care results and that usually means working in partnership with the doctor and that, in turn means, actively monitoring your health and reviewing test results.

So..getting test results *before* meeting with the doctor and figuring out what they mean is important to me.

allen476 wrote:I recently requested a copy of my sleep/titration studies and was given no hassle at all. The PA did it while I was in the exam room. The PSG report was 4 pages (1 page summary, the rest nice charts and graphs) and the titration report was 5 pages (1 page summary, the rest nice charts, graphs, and tables).

This was a helpful reminder that since I had a "split study" there are actually two reports: the sleep study and the titration report.

Being a newbie I would have just asked for the "sleep study results" and may or may not have gotten the titration report.

What does "PSG" stand for?
(Still practicing my request speech in my mind )

Thanks!

sleepycarol wrote:Rested Gal --

Thanks. I see now what the reports should look like.

What is the best way to pm SAG besides going through the memberlist and trying to find him?

Carol, check your Private Messages. I've sent you a couple.

According to the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)'s 2005 "Standards and Practices" book, it's called the "Polysomnographic Report."

The AASM website is:

http://www.aasmnet.org

I got my results fairly easily - until I found out there is more.

I made it simple for my lab - who kept sending me the interpretation (the text) over & over.

I typed up my own request form - quoting the state law and giving them the number to call at the Dept. Of Health (DPH is the licensing agent) to ask questions. I wrote clearly that I already have the interpretation and I am not requesting another copy of that.

I don't think they called or even took me serious. I just waited another week then called the president of the hospital to say I will be filing a complaint with the DPH. She appeared to be very interested. I mentioned some of my other concerns too. The typical fine, I believe, is about $1000 if not handled in 30 days.

When they called back to ask if I already had the text version (interpretation) what is it that I wanted?

I simply said "Everything else".

I am tired of the people pretending they know what I am looking for but giving/sending me something else. I have paid almost $20 for the same reports time after time.

One thing I did get - the Sleep Tech keeps a log of events too. But for some reason they only gave me 1 nite of a 2 nite study. This missing 1st nite of Tech notes is what really prompted me to persue this so far.

I really don't understand why some places try to be sooo secretive about YOUR sleep results. Misquoting Federal laws which they feel are in place to protect you from YOU.
Go Figure.

gandalf wrote:What does "PSG" stand for?
(Still practicing my request speech in my mind )

Good practice.

PSG = Polysomnogram

In the sleep lab all the wires and stuff they put on you connected to a machine that collects the data. The machine uses "PSG" software to generate the report. There are quite a few brands of "PSG" software systems. The lab that generated the PSG reports on my website uses "Sandman" by Nellcor Puritan Bennett. It's a fully accredited sleep lab, and all the sleep techs there were RPSGT credentialed.

An "RPSGT" is a "Registered Polysomnographic Technologist." That's a "sleep tech" who passed a test to become board certified to perform and score "PSG" sleep studies.

Not all sleep techs have the RPSGT credential. Not being an "RPSGT" doesn't mean a sleep tech is not experienced or is not good at their job. Just means they haven't become "certified" (either haven't sat for the test yet, or didn't pass it yet) by the BRPT - Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.
http://www.brpt.org/

More than you asked for....

I'm practicing, too. Just for the fun of it.

Wow - this is really crazy!

I didn't have any problem at all getting my "full" report. (Though I imagine those who haven't are pretty darned tired of hearing that. I'm not gloating - just chiming in that this should not be as difficult as they are making it).

I was initially tested - about 100 years ago... OK, 1999 - at a local sleep center in my town, a near suburb of Philadelphia, PA and my doc there - a sleep neurologist - had a copy made and handed it to me when I was there for a follow-up visit. It wasn't right after the test but about four or five months later. They process all reports right there - the center is within a hospital.

Presently I haven't been back to them for more visits in almost two years. My first doc moved to another state - Texas, I believe - and the replacement had a medical emergency herself and was out for several months. The only doc there for a while was the founder of the center - and he doesn't want to visit with me! (We had some big differences over me wanting an autoPAP and him "not believing in them". I settled for an Rx for "just a CPAP", but he didn't realize that there is no requirement for a special Rx for autoPAP - I just ordered myself a RemStar Auto here - well, it was still Cpappro.net at the time. That ticked him off, though my doc back then was OK with it.

But even as difficult as the founder there could be there was no trouble getting my test results. So keep pushing them - hard!

Jim

I have been trying to get the results from my study since july....my last message to them was last week. I told them this was the last time I would ask nicely...next time they will hear from my lawyer, and he isnt nice. lol W will see if it works.

Jenn, the lawyer threat doesn't carry near so much weight as a complaint to the state licensing division and the state medical association. HIPAA gives you the legal right to a copy of these records. Let the state and the medical association provide the leverage you need.

For instance, a sleep lab part of a large hospital has the full resources of the hospital's large staff of attorneys on retainer vs your limited resources for legal assistance for what is a financially inconsequential complaint, i.e. how much are you willing to pay to get those copies? They are pretty sure yours is a bluff and even if not, their relinquishing the copies to you thru your attorney cost you quite a bit and them very little.

BUT - if the state licensing board and the state medical association gets involved .... they get a black eye and scrutiny they do NOT want! And are subject to discipline by that department and organization.