For Health Professionals

Sleep Apnea Management and Diagnosis

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most serious and under-diagnosed medical problems in the U.S., affecting 18 million Americans and climbing.

Sleep apnea diagnosis and management can start with the Primary Care Physician. Nearly half of people with sleep apnea also suffer with one or more serious health condition that PCPs already manage, such as diabetes, hypertension or heart failure, each of which can be aggravated or caused by sleep apnea. Treating these conditions simultaneously can help achieve improved overall patient outcomes.

Managing sleep apnea patients within your practice starts with the NovaSom Home Sleep Test. Learn more about how NovaSom enables PCPs to efficiently manage sleep apnea at www.NovaSom.com which includes content for medical professionals.

The Sleep Lab Issue

Although most patients tested for OSA in hospital or free-standing sleep labs are clinically appropriate for home sleep testing, nearly all sleep apnea testing (95%) is performed in sleep labs using polysomnography (PSG). This overnight, in-lab sleep test measures many physiological and neurological parameters associated with the diagnosis of other sleep disorders. Out of the 12 or more parameters that PSG measures only five are deemed necessary by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for diagnosing sleep apnea.

Sleep labs are a major deterrent for patients who are uncomfortable sleeping in a foreign environment or who cannot afford the associated out-of-pocket co-pays, deductibles and time away from home. As a result, 30% of patients referred to sleep labs do not follow through on their appointments, and therefore are not diagnosed with sleep apnea.

The NovaSom Home Sleep Test Difference

The majority (80%) of undiagnosed sleep apnea sufferers have uncomplicated sleep apnea—that is, sleep apnea without neurological conditions or severe co-morbidities. Uncomplicated sleep apnea is a straightforward diagnosis and patients can be easily diagnosed with NovaSom home sleep testing technology and managed by a well trained PCP.

The NovaSom Home Sleep Test is clinically equivalent to the sleep lab for the diagnosis of uncomplicated OSA. Unlike sleep labs, there are no waiting lists and patients receive the diagnosis and treatment they need within days. NovaSom provides PCPs with validated screening tools to identify the right patients for home sleep testing. Upon positive sleep apnea diagnosis, NovaSom will work with PCPs to identify the best therapy partners provide appropriate, cost effective sleep apnea treatments.

Resources for Healthcare Professionals

NovaSom’s full offering of Physician Resources and its Clinical Library can be found at NovaSom.com along with additional information on managing sleep apnea with home sleep testing.

Your patients may come to you with a NovaSom Order form. Please fill out and either fax to NovaSom or submit online so your patient will receive the NovaSom home sleep test device as quickly as possible.