Inpatient Sleep Testing

Abstract

Inpatient sleep testing (IST) provides a unique although underused opportunity to improve access to care by identifying patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) who may benefit from timely initiation of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. SDB identified in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities is associated with worse clinical outcomes, but initiation of PAP therapy based on inpatient testing may improve patient outcomes. Various types of IST can be performed, with portable monitoring being the most common given its accuracy, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Successful implementation of IST entails an appropriate infrastructure, equipment, personnel, and training.

Keywords: Admission; Hospitalization; Inpatient; Polysomnography; Sleep apnea; Sleep study; Sleep test; Sleep-disordered breathing.