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. 2021 Jan:77:45-50.
doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.005. Epub 2020 Nov 7.

Performing sleep studies after the COVID-19 outbreak: practical suggestions from Bologna's sleep unit

Rosalia Cilea  1 , Pietro Guaraldi  2 , Giorgio Barletta  1 , Monica Lucchi  1 , Francesca Baschieri  3 , Luca Baldelli  4 , Giuseppe Loddo  4 , Alberto Rocca  5 , Pietro Cortelli  3 , Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura  3 , Federica Provini  3
Affiliations

Performing sleep studies after the COVID-19 outbreak: practical suggestions from Bologna's sleep unit

Rosalia Cilea et al. Sleep Med. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required a thorough re-organization of every sector of the healthcare system. Sleep laboratories need to renew protocols in order to guarantee the safety of patients and healthcare staff while providing exams. Polysomnography (PSG) examinations are essential for the diagnosis and treatment management of several sleep disorders, which may constitute a public or personal safety issue such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Here we provide some practical advice on how to perform sleep studies after the COVID-19 outbreak based on our experience, the review of the existing literature and current national and international recommendations by Health Authorities. We believe that with appropriate precautions it is possible to guarantee a safe restart of PSG and other sleep studies.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Sleep disorders; Sleep laboratory; Video-polysomnography.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Provini reports personal fees from Vanda Pharmaceutical, Sanofi, Zambon, Fidia, Bial, Eisai Japan, Italfarmaco, all not relevant to the submitted work. The other Authors have no disclosures.

The ICMJE Uniform Disclosure Form for Potential Conflicts of Interest associated with this article can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.005.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Performing sleep recordings after the COVID-19 outbreak.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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