Sleep Disorders Center

Comprehensive Sleep Studies in Cape Girardeau

The Sleep Disorders Center at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau is a six-bed facility with state-of-the-art equipment and private restrooms, providing comprehensive sleep studies to the southeast Missouri region. Staffed by technicians who are credentialed by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists, the Sleep Disorders Center was the first laboratory in the region to receive a Certificate of Accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and the only lab to provide the service of a Clinical Sleep Educator.

The Sleep Disorders Center diagnoses and treats all common sleep disorders, including:

Sleep Apnea – Sleep apnea, a common disorder experienced by approximately five percent of Americans, occurs when airways collapse and breathing stops for a short while during sleep.
Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy, a lifelong disorder involving the brain’s inability to regulate sleep and wakefulness, is most commonly diagnosed in the teen years and is thought to be hereditary and possibly environmentally affected. Symptoms of narcolepsy may include:
- Temporary lack of muscle control while excited
- Vivid dreams upon falling asleep/awaking
- Brief inability to move or talk upon waking
Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep – Periodic limb movement of sleep is characterized by involuntary muscle spasms in the legs that occur while asleep.
Restless Legs Syndrome – Restless legs syndrome is a deep creeping or crawling sensation in the legs that causes an urge to move them when awake.

State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Technologies

The skilled technicians at Saint Francis’ Sleep Disorders Center assess each patient through various measures, including:

Electrocardiogram (EKG): measures heart rhythm
Electroencephalography (EEG): measures global neural activity
Electromyography (EMG): measures muscle activity and limb movement
Electrooculogram (EOG): measures eye movement
Piezoelectric belt: measures respiratory effort
Pulse oximetry: measures oxygen saturation
Thermistor or pressure transducer: measures nasal and/or oral airflow
SPiN Thoracic Navigation System^™ by Veran^™

Following diagnosis and development of a treatment plan, the Sleep Disorders Center provides patients with educational and support services, such as one-on-one counseling sessions, AWAKE (Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic) support sessions, and the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) Follow-up Clinic for those sent home with breathing aids.

The Sleep Disorders Center was the first laboratory in the region to receive a Certificate of Accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Saint Francis earned accreditation for employing skilled and experienced sleep specialists, providing a comfortable sleep lab environment, and developing individualized treatment plans tailored to the unique diagnosis of each patient.

Cape Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

In collaboration with the Sleep Disorders Center at Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine provides specialty care to patients with problems related to breathing and sleeping. Highly skilled physicians work in conjunction with respiratory therapists and sleep technologists to offer comprehensive care, including:

Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, chronic cough, cystic fibrosis, and tuberculosis
Respiratory therapy services
Assessment and diagnosis of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and nocturnal myoclonus
Sleep studies conducted in an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)-accredited lab
General pulmonology, sleep medicine, and critical care medicine for patients and those receiving long-term acute care at Landmark Hospital