If your family doctor suspects you have a sleep disorder, he or she may refer you to the UF Health Sleep Center. With your physician’s order, we will contact you to schedule your overnight sleep study (known as a polysomnography). You will receive complete instructions about your study by mail.
You should arrive at 8 p.m. on the day of the scheduled sleep study. Upon registering at the front desk of the lobby, you will be escorted to your room by a sleep technician.
After arriving in your suite, professional sleep technologists registered in sleep science will explain the procedure to you and attach the required sleep sensors. Depending on which type of test your physician has ordered, you will have between 10 and 30 sensors attached to your body. These sensors measure biological functions, including heartbeat, breathing and brainwaves.
Sensors include:
- Brain waves measured by sensors placed on the head
- Heart beat and rate, measured by sensors placed on the chest
- Eye movements measured by sensors placed above and below the eyes
- Leg movements measured by sensors placed on the lower leg
- Breathing measured by sensors placed under the nose or near the mouth
- Breathing effort and chest movement measured by small belts placed around the chest and stomach
- Oxygen levels measured by adhesive strip type sensor attached to the finger
You will be able to move freely in the bed. However, if you need to leave your bed during the night, the sleep technician is required to remove and re-attach the sensors.
Remote video cameras, which record you as you sleep, are located in each room. The technician will monitor the recording throughout the night. If you need assistance, call for the sleep technician from the bed. The technician will be able to hear and see you via the camera. Everything monitored is private and protected.
Overnight sleep studies are usually concluded by 7 a.m. Earlier wake-up times can be arranged with the sleep technician the night of your study.
Following the polysomnography, UF pulmonologists and neurologists board-certified in sleep disorders will review your sleep study results for an interpretation and will recommend treatment to your physician.