Polysomnography
Date issued: March 2014
For review: March 2016
Ref: B-118/NB/NP/Polysomnograph
PDF: Polysomnography [pdf] 40KB
Polysomnography is the study of overnight sleep by measuring a number of physiological variables using transducers attached to you whilst you are asleep.
In this hospital, this procedure is carried out on the Planned Investigation Unit (PIU) which is located on level 10.
We normally ask you to arrive at the PIU at 4pm on the day of the test. The staff on the ward will then take your details and organise your bed for the night. You will be met by someone from the Neurophysiology Department, who will ask some further questions, explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form to agree to having a video recording of your sleep.
Some time before you go to bed, you will be fitted with a number of wires and attachments which will enable us to monitor your physiological status during sleep. You will also be monitored on video to check for movements and sounds. The recording will continue overnight and you will be disconnected in the morning.
Often, it is also necessary to continue recording during the following day to check how sleepy you are during the day. If this is necessary, you will stay on the PIU and will be given 4 “sleep opportunities” during the following day. During these, your brain activity will be recorded using the wires attached to your head. You will be asked to lie on the bed and to try to sleep. You will be woken up after a while and asked to stay awake until the next “sleep opportunity” approximately 2 hours afterwards.
You should avoid drinking coffee, tea, any caffeine containing soft drinks and alcohol after mid day on the day before the test. Please complete the Epworth questionnaire and sleep diary and bring these with you when you attend.
Please telephone the Neurophysiology Department on 01752 792558 if you have any concerns or would like further information.
