Your Sleep Test
The Sleep Disorders Center is located at
Leonard Morse Hospital, 67 Union Street, Natick
508-650-7799
The Sleep Disorders Center at MetroWest Medical Center performs all night Polysomnograms (sleep studies), daytime Polysomnograms (for shiftworkers), Multiple Sleep Latency Tests, Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests, and Home Apnea Screening (Portable Monitor). These tests help diagnose excessive sleepiness, loud snoring, and episodes of unusual activity at night.
Testing at Home — Home Apnea Screener (Portable Monitor)
The sleep study is done in the privacy of your own home. Patients would come to MetroWest to pick up the unit, learn how to put it on by a registered technician, provided written and visual instructions, and a 24-hour contact number. The unit is returned the next day for review and interpretation. This test evaluates for sleep apnea only.
For more information about the Portable Home Sleep Test, please click here.
Testing in a Sleep Lab — Polysomnogram (Sleep Study)
The sleep study is done in a private room inside the Sleep Disorders Center. During the study, special sensors record the activity of the heart, lungs, and brain; the movements of muscles; air flow from the nose and mouth; and the level of oxygen in the blood. In addition, body movements are videotaped and snoring, talking, or other noises made while asleep are recorded. A technician monitors the recording all night to observe the patientand check for problems. If severe sleep apnea is found during the night, the technician may provide a device called CPAP, which keeps a patient’s air passages open and treats apnea.
Multiple Sleep Latency/Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing
A Multiple Sleep Latency Test or a Maintenance of Wakefulness Testare other ways of measuring excessive sleepiness. These tests require a day in the Sleep Disorders Center. The test consists of either a series of naps or trials of staying awake at different intervals. The patient should have anormal night’s sleep the night before or may have a polysomnogram. It is recommended that patients bring books or other materials to fill the time between intervals. Comfortable clothing is very helpful.