Sleep Evaluation Center - Fairmont Medical Center

Overview
Providers

The WVU Medicine Sleep Evaluation Center at Fairmont Medical Center (fourth floor) provides services that identify and treat sleep-related disorders with a sleep study that monitors brain wave, eye movement, and heart beat measurements during rest.

Adult and pediatric patients (13 years of age and older) may undergo a sleep study with a referral from a primary care provider. The WVU Sleep Evaluation Center is nationally accredited by both the Joint Commission and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Why do I need a sleep study?

Quality sleep is essential for good health. Certain conditions can disrupt your sleep cycle and prevent you from having the best possible rest.

These conditions may include:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Parasomnias (nightmares, sleep-walking and talking, bed-wetting)
Restless leg syndrome
Sleep apnea
Snoring

Sleep disorders may cause daytime sleepiness, fatigue, aggravated heart conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, and many other medical disorders, including morning headache, mood changes, depression, impotence, and hypertension. If you are experiencing problems with your sleep, talk to your physician about having a consultation with a WVU Medicine sleep disorder provider.

What kind of sleep study do I need?

After your sleep disorder consultation, you may need to have a sleep study for further evaluation. A sleep disorder physician may recommend a specific sleep study based on your individual condition, including:

Polysomnogram – evaluates snoring and sleep apnea (periods of interrupted breathing)
Continuous positive airway pressure study – similar to a polysomnogram, but you wear a mask fitted around your nose and/or mouth and a technologist introduces a stream of air into your airway to help you breathe and sleep comfortably

What happens during a sleep study?

You will arrive at the WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center Sleep Lab, located on the fourth floor, at a scheduled time. An experienced sleep technologist will show you to a private room, where sleep monitoring equipment will be set up. Electrodes, a respiration belt, and other devices will be applied to your head and body using a paste that can be easily removed by showering the next day. Once the technician has the sleep monitoring equipment in place, the lights are turned out, and you are ready to go to sleep. We monitor data and record video during your sleep study to evaluate any health issues that might be affecting your quality of sleep. At the completion of the sleep study the next morning, electrodes are removed, and a shower is available for you. A sleep technologist and a board-certified sleep specialist will evaluate your sleep study and provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan within two weeks after your sleep study.

Patients can place themselves on the “fast pass” for the daytime clinic slots only, but not for the overnight testing slots.