Before a patient is able to be treated for Sleep Apnea, a medical diagnosis needs to be conducted on the potential patient. This is called a "sleep study" which is an overnight polysomnogram.
A patient is referred to Sleep-Wise - Cronje by his/her GP or specialist, and Sleep-Wise - Cronje contacts the patient to arrange the sleep study. Sleep Studies can be conducted in hospital, at home or at the Sleep-Wise - Cronje office in Century City, Cape Town.
After the patient sleeps on the diagnostic device for one full night, the data is downloaded and interpreted by a Neurophysiologist to determine whether the patient's results are positive or negative for Sleep Apnea.
In the event that the patient is positive for Sleep Apnea, a CPAP Titration Study will need to be conducted.
CPAP = Continues Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP Therapy is the most common therapy for patients with Sleep Apnea.
A CPAP Titration is a needs assessment which determines what type of treatment a patient needs, as well as how the treatment device will need to be set up for optimal CPAP Therapy.
A CPAP Titration can also be conducted in hospital, at home or at the Sleep-Wise - Cronje Office. The CPAP Titration includes the setting up of a CPAP machine as per the results from the Sleep Study as well as a CPAP mask fit.
The patient will sleep on the CPAP device for a period of 2 nights. The data is then once again downloaded and interpreted by a Neurophysiologist, who will provide a final report indicating what type of CPAP machine and therapeutic pressure is best suited for treatment.