The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has granted the Sacred Heart Sleep Disorders Center re-accreditation for a period of five years beginning September 2017.

Sleep facility accreditation through AASM includes accreditation for all types of sleep testing, including in-center polysomnography (PSG), multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT), maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT), and home sleep apnea testing (HSAT).

This status distinguishes Sacred Heart Hospital as meeting or exceeding national quality of care measures for sleep disorder treatment.

An AASM accreditation is “the gold standard” by which patients, physicians, companies, and the public evaluate sleep disorder centers.

To receive this accreditation the Sacred Heart Sleep Disorders Center must adhere to strict practice parameters and quality assurance standards. Hospitals that successfully meet the AASM’s standards for accreditation show a commitment to the awareness of sleep as an important element for health, public safety, and quality of life.

The sleep specialists at Sacred Heart Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.

At least 12 million to 18 million American adults have untreated sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep illnesses. Once diagnosed, the recommended treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which provides a steady stream of air through a mask to gently keep the airway open throughout the night, making it easier to breathe.