Competency: 3

Details

Plan and prepare for the sleep investigation (multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and/or polysomnography (PSG)

Considerations

• The physiology of sleep and normal and abnormal sleep patterns in EEG
• The range of conditions of patients referred for sleep studies
• The pathophysiology of sleep disorders
• Special needs of patients undergoing sleep studies
• The referral system and the justification for sleep studies
• The range and types of information required and its importance
• Information that should be recorded and the checks for validity
• Appropriate action to be taken in the event of missing or invalid information
• The purpose of sleep studies and their appropriateness for the conditions presented
• The importance of confirming the patient’s identity from the referral document and correct entry on the recording system
• Possible patient needs and environmental needs
• Factors that may influence the duration and quality of investigations
• The specific environmental hazards
• The effect of medication on the EEG
• Safe and correct operation of the equipment to be used, including all peripheral devices
• The importance of confirming the patient’s identity from the referral document and correct entry on the recording system
• The importance of establishing and maintaining effective communication with the patient
• The importance of checking there is adequate storage volume for the investigation to be performed
• The effects of sensitivity, display speed, filters, CMRR and sampling rate
• The range of electrodes and transducers used in sleep studies
• Factors of key importance to patient history
• Information that should be recorded and the checks for validity
• Selection of appropriate electrodes and transducers
• Quantity and type of consumables required for the investigation
• Confirmation of the patient’s identity and match to the referral documents
• Correct entry/identification of patient details on the recording system
• Recognised measuring systems and how they may need to be adapted for sleep studies
• Correct use, placement and parameters of additional transducers
• Appropriate contact impedances
• The needs of the patient and the recording environment for the required investigation
• Recording parameters and protocols for the planned investigation
• The requirement for ongoing communication with medical, nursing staff and/or patient as appropriate

Relevant learning outcomes