Look to the Sleep Lab
for a more restful night

Those in need of a sleep lab study often find several reasons to postpone the necessary testing. Time, scheduling or the long drive are three excuses that don’t work anymore for residents of East Central Indiana.

Cardinal Health System has been expanding sleep lab services in East Central Indiana for several years. Today, full sleep lab services are available at both Ball Memorial Hospital and Blackford Community Hospital which translates to a short drive for anyone in need of a sleep study.

More than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea and other sleep disorders which forces many to function on little or no sleep. The sleep lab at Ball Memorial Hospital and Blackford Community Hospital work with those suffering from sleep disorders to provide the treatment they need for a good night’s sleep.

“There are so many tools available for people who have trouble sleeping,” said Susan Taulbee, coordinator, Sleep Lab. “Many times people are surprised at the help we can provide them and they had no idea the services were offered locally.”

For the last year, Blackford Community Hospital has offered a Sleep Lab specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

“We’ve been operating the Sleep Lab at Blackford Community Hospital since March of 2006,” Taulbee said. “The testing we offer locally at BCH is the same testing offered at BMH. Both facilities can be the first step for folks to work their way back to consistently getting a good night’s sleep.”

The most common sleep disorder is sleep apnea, a condition where the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses, blocking airflow during sleep. The Sleep Lab at BMH or BCH will monitor patients throughout the evening. Sensors are utilized to evaluate 16 different body functions, including the heart, lungs, brain, muscle movements, air flow, and blood oxygen level.

The Sleep Lab at BMH offers testing seven nights a week while BCH does testing on patients an average of two nights per week and the services offered at both locations are growing in popularity.

“It can be difficult to go into a clinical environment and try to fall asleep, especially if sleep disorders are already impacting your sleeping patterns,” Taulbee said. “But if people are able to stay close to home, there is an added comfort level there can make the testing process go smoothly, which means we can provide the patients the treatment plan they need without ever leaving their community.”

Click here for more information on the Blackford Community Hospital Sleep Lab.

Click here for more information on the Ball Memorial Hospital Sleep Lab.

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