Test Comfortably at Home
McKinney Smiles offers a way for patients to be tested for sleep apnea in the comfort of their own home.
No more uncomfortable nights at a sleep center. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association, this type of testing is an accurate way to detect problems during the course of the night that might be harmful to one’s health. It is the only home test available from which a physician can make a diagnosis for sleep apnea. If results from the test are positive for sleep apnea, Dr. Lawrence is able to customize the best plan of action to help patients get the best night’s sleep possible.
Advantages to Home
Testing Include:
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Easy and comfortable
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Use in your home while you sleep
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Accurate, fast, reliable results
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Diagnosis made by a medical physician
While some sleep apnea treatments require patients to spend the night in a sleep lab for observation, Dr. Lawrence offers an in-home alternative that comfortably allows him to determine the cause of a patient’s potential sleep disorder.
A small wrist mounted device, the WatchPAT allows testing to be done in the comfort of the patient’s own home, a place best suited for Dr. Lawrence to get clear understanding about the pattern of a patient’s sleep habits. Used by over 1 million patients worldwide, WatchPAT is the only FDA approved device that measures True Sleep Time (rather than the total device recording time) and all sleep stages (awake, light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep) with up to 90% correlation to an overnight test conducted in a sleep lab.
The WatchPAT offers patients both comfort and convenience, along with such features as:
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Improved reliability. Using only three contact points, the WatchPAT combines a simple to use interface with a less than 1 percent failure rate.
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Improved accuracy. The WatchPAT is the only FDA approved Home Sleep Testing (HST) device that measures True Sleep Time.
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Fully comprehensive. The WatchPAT is the only HST device that measures all stages of sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are home sleep tests accurate?
Yes! The WatchPAT home sleep test is an incredibly accurate and effective way to diagnose sleep disorders from the comfort of your own home. The device measures a number of factors, such as blood oxygen saturation, breathing patterns, and more. Once you’ve completed your sleep test, the data is sent to a board certified Sleep Medicine physician for a precise diagnosis.
What should I do on the day of my sleep study?
On the day of your at-home sleep study, you should:
- Try to follow your regular routine as much as possible
- Avoid napping
- Avoid using hair sprays or gels that can interfere with the sleep recording or shower prior to using the equipment
- Avoid caffeine after lunch
Following these recommendations will ensure we get enough data to analyze the results of your sleep study. Typically, three hours of continuous sleep is required for proper analysis. More than three hours of sleep will allow for more data to be collected and a more accurate analysis.
Is a home sleep test uncomfortable or painful?
At-home sleep tests are significantly more comfortable and convenient than an in-lab sleep study. The WatchPAT home sleep test device is easy to use. These are the steps you’ll follow to set up the device:
- Attach the chest sensor
- Strap on the WatchPAT home sleep apnea test bracelet to your non-dominate hand
- Slip on the finger probe
Here’s a video on how to set-up the device https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdJ3fx5TlYw
What if I wake up during the night?
If you wake up in the middle of the night for any reason, such as to use the bathroom or get some water, leave the device on. It’s vital that you continue recording all night.
When you wake up after a night’s rest, that’s when you should turn off the device and place the equipment back into the case, with the exception of the nasal cannula which will be discarded. Return the WatchPAT device according to the instructions you were given.