Sleep Tech Tip of the Week

by Steve Ferrin, RPSGT from Lourdes Sleep Center
A common problem facing many sleep technologists today is patient anxiety over wearing that “scary looking contraption on their face”.  This is to be expected.  Unless you’re a welder, scuba-diver, or a fire-fighter, most of us do not wear bulky equipment on our face, much less to sleep in.  So, how does one overcome this anxiety?  The first, and most obvious, choice is desensitization.

When desensitizing a patient, it is important to have a good mask choice.  Let the patient try on a variety and see which one they prefer.  Mask sizing is important, as an ill-fitting mask will lower compliance.  Once a proper mask has been found, letting the patient lay there with air running through the mask is often the next step.  Allow the patient to get used to this “strange sensation”.  It is at this point that it is absolutely critical to LISTEN to the patient.  Is the patient getting too much air, or not enough on this trial?  (more…)