Pulmonary Critical Care Sleep Service (PCCSS) at VA medical center, Memphis provides care to the veteran seeking care in the field of Pulmonary medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine and Respiratory therapy. These unique fields of medicine in our service are tightly inter-related but functions independent of each other.
To learn more about Pulmonary Critical Care Sleep Service visit https://www.va.gov/memphis-health-care/programs/pulmonary-critical-care…
Sleep Health Center
The Sleep Health Center at the Memphis VA Medical Center is an 8-bed facility that is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for monitored and unmonitored studies. Services include evaluations for sleep disorders in outpatient clinics as well as monitored and unmonitored sleep testing using state-of-the-art equipment. The Memphis VAMC Sleep Health Center is a full-service sleep center. Our staff diagnoses and treats Veterans with a wide range of sleep disorders including insomnia, movement disorders during sleep, and disorders of excessive daytime sleepiness such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
Telemedicine Program
The Sleep Health Center is using new technologies to deliver more convenient and timely care to Veterans. Instead of Veterans having to travel to Memphis for their care, they are able to be evaluated at their local VA clinic. Patients at their local clinic and the sleep specialist in the sleep center see and talk with each other through video teleconferencing. This approach is being used to evaluate and manage Veterans with sleep apnea and insomnia.
Educational Activities
The Sleep Health Center serves as an academic resource to medical students, residents and Sleep Medicine fellows at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Medical students and physicians-in-training rotate through the outpatient sleep clinics to learn how to recognize, diagnose and treat various sleep disorders.
Sleep Study Information for Patients
What Can You Expect During an Overnight Sleep Study in the Sleep Health Center?
After arriving at the Sleep Health Center, a sleep technician will apply several sensors to your head, face, and body. These sensors give us information about your breathing, snoring, oxygen level, heart rate, movement during sleep, and sleep stages. You will also be asked to complete several questionnaires. After applying all the sensors, the technician will provide you with a private bedroom for sleeping. The technician will monitor your sleeping and breathing throughout the night.
If the recording in the first portion of the night shows that you have symptoms of sleep apnea, you may be asked to wear a mask on your face connected to a positive airway pressure device in the second part of the night. Positive airway pressure is the most common treatment of sleep apnea.
In the morning, the technician will awaken you and all sensors will be removed. You will be asked to answer some questionnaires. After your sleep study is completed, you will be contacted by telephone or letter to inform you of the results of the study and recommend management. If you are not contacted within 2 weeks of your study, please call the Sleep Health Center at 901-523-8990 extension 7990.
How to Prepare for an Overnight Sleep Study in the Sleep Health Center
- Bring any medications that you will need to take while at the Sleep Health Center
- Please arrive on time for your scheduled sleep study
- Bathe or shower before coming to the appointment, paying special attention to the head and neck areas. This will help the sleep study staff apply the monitoring patches for the study.
- Avoid using any conditioners, oils, lotions, or makeup prior to arriving for your sleep study. Again, this will help the sleep study staff apply the monitoring patches for the study.
- You will NOT be provided dinner at the Sleep Health Center prior to or during your sleep study. Please eat your evening meal before arriving at the Sleep Health Center.
- You may bring personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap) for use before and after the sleep study. Your personal belongings will be secured during the sleep study in the Sleep Health Center. Please do NOT bring more than what you will need for personal hygiene in the morning after your sleep study.
- You will wear your personal pajamas or hospital gown for the sleep study.
- Televisions are available in each bedroom.
Where is the Sleep Center Located?
The Sleep Health Center is located on the 5th floor of the Bed Tower at Memphis VA Medical Center. Parking is available in the Bed Tower parking area off of Pauline or in the east parking lot off of Jefferson Avenue. For patients having an overnight sleep study, enter the Medical Center through the Emergency Room Entrance and check in at the desk. From there follow the hallway to the Bed Tower and take the gold elevators to the 5th Floor. When you exit the elevators on the 5th floor, turn LEFT. At the end of the short hallway is a waiting area. Please have a seat and a technician will be with you shortly.
How Patients Can Obtain Supplies for Their Positive Airway Pressure Treatment?
Patients can obtain supplies for their positive airway pressure apparatus by calling the Sleep Health Center at 901-523-8990 extension 6805. They should receive the supplies in the mail in approximately two weeks.