Proper diagnosis to pinpoint the exact nature and severity of a sleep disorder is the first step in achieving treatment success. At Sutter Sleep Disorders Center, board-certified sleep medicine specialists and certified sleep-testing technologists combine their expertise to help patients discover the source of sleep disturbances.

Each patient is unique, requiring diagnosis tailored to address specific needs and concerns. Diagnosis and initial treatment for patients with insomnia often occurs during an office visit with one of the center’s sleep medicine doctors. Older children and adults with sleep apnea and other disorders often require sleep studies conducted in their homes or at the center’s sleep labs in Sacramento or Roseville, while young children and infants receive testing in a hospital setting at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

One of the benefits of working with Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers is its connection to the greater Sutter Health network of five regional hospitals and hundreds of specialty care doctors. When the disorder appears to be connected to other health issues, the center’s sleep medicine doctors may expand testing to include blood work, diagnostics imaging or other tests, often in conjunction with other Sutter specialists. Sutter’s extensive capabilities ensure patients receive an accurate diagnosis that will lead to effective treatment.

Within the Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers program, available testing includes:

• Polysomnograms (Limited, Home and Lab)
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test
• Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
• Nocturnal Oximetry Monitoring

Polysomnograms (PSG)

Also referred to as a sleep study, a polysomnogram is used to diagnose patients with suspected sleep apnea, sleep-wake cycle disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness.

• Sleep Lab Testing is conducted during an overnight stay in one of the hotel-like rooms at the center’s locations in Sacramento or Roseville. The comprehensive test monitors a patient’s air flow, brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, blood oxygen level, leg movements and muscle tension during sleep. Our Sleep Study Guide offers more information about undergoing a polysomnogram at Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers .
• Home Testing using the center’s mobile testing equipment is available in some cases.
• Limited Testing may be used as a follow-up test for patients who have not responded to treatment or in cases where there is strong evidence of sleep apnea. Limited tests monitor only a patient’s airflow, heart rate, blood oxygen level and respiratory effort.

More information is available in the sleep studies section of our Health Information Library.

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Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

Following an overnight polysomnogram test, patients with excessive daytime sleepiness or suspected narcolepsy may undergo a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). The MSLT is a daytime test of napping that complements information gathered during overnight testing. Patients nap at scheduled intervals while equipment monitors brain waves, eye movement, heart rate and muscle activity. Sutter Sleep Disorders Centers specialists combine information from the MSLT and overnight polysomnogram to get an overall look at the patient’s sleep patterns.

More information is available in the sleep studies section of our Health Information Library.

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Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)

As the name implies, the maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) allows doctors to see how well a patient is able to stay awake during quiet, still activities that might typically induce daytime sleepiness. Brain waves, heart rate and other signs are monitored to determine the patient’s ability to remain alert.

More information is available in the sleep studies section of our Health Information Library.

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Nocturnal Oximetry Monitoring

Oximetry monitoring is a noninvasive test that uses a fingertip sensor to measure a patient’s pulse and the amount of oxygen contained in the blood. Sensitive devices measure the color of the patient’s blood test, which ranges from deep to bright red depending on the blood’s oxygen saturation. Generally done as part of other sleep tests, oximetry monitoring may be done alone to verify test results as a follow-up test for patients using a continuous positive airway pressure device.

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