Hospital Renovates Sleep Lab
Posted for Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital celebrated the renovation of the hospital’s sleep lab with an event Aug. 24 that included administration, doctors, donors and more.
MedStar St. Mary’s moved the sleep lab to a new location in April, a quiet spot on the first floor of the hospital. The new lab includes upgraded, state-of-art technology, enhanced study capabilities, and more.
“It’s all brand-new, top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment,” said Tim Young, one of the two registered polysomnographic technologists with MedStar St. Mary’s sleep lab. “The biggest improvement is that the rooms are very comfortable; it feels more like a hotel than a lab. It’s evolved into a facility that’s unlike any other part of the hospital – even down to the sheets!”
Temitayo Oyegbile, MD, PhD, is the new medical director of the sleep lab. Dr. Oyegbile is a board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and sleep specialist from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH). Dr. Oyegbile will help MedStar St. Mary’s sleep lab align its goals with MGUH’s Neurology Program. In addition, staff will be working to receive the American Academy of Sleep Medicine accreditation which is a year-long application process.
“We are working to create an entire sleep center here at MedStar St. Mary’s,” said Dr. Oyegbile. “Prior to the renovation, we were only doing testing. We will now be seeing the patient, admitting them for a sleep study and then having them back in to discuss their results and treating them as needed.
Sleep studies measure how deeply someone sleeps, REM sleep, and leg movements, as well as saturated blood oxygen levels. Applying monitors for the study usually takes about 30 minutes and the equipment is light weight and applied to the body with tape. Some individuals may also be able to take advantage to the lab’s in-home study capabilities. All the testing equipment used by MSMH in sleep studies meets rigorous regulation standards and is fully accredited.
“At home studies will be much easier for patients,” said Dr. Oyegbile. “Patients will have the latest test equipment available. The equipment is very convenient and comfortable and patients will be able to get their results quickly.”
Learn more about sleep study services offered at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital by calling 301-475-6399. Physician referrals are required.
