Sleep Tech Tip of the Week

By Michael Miller, RPSGT

Due to the extremely positive feedback that last week’s Sleep Tech Tip of the Week generated, I chose the path of least resistance when deliberating what to write about this week. Inspired by Lynnette Shafer’s article “Don’t Be a Victim-Stay Safe While Working Solo”, I decided to cover the topic of staff safety from a technical viewpoint. No matter whether you are male or female, working alone or working with colleagues, working with inappropriate adult patients or working with boisterous pediatric patients, I propose implementing technology as a tool to thwart any unsuitable behavior that is alluring to patients when visiting a sleep lab. Due to the casual and relaxing environment of sleep labs, some patients have a hard time deciphering between appropriate and inappropriate etiquette during their stay. Two significant tools, cameras and audio devices such as intercoms, can assist technologist and most often prevent any unnecessary conduct that is non-conducive for the sleep lab environment.

Video

Since development in 1951 by Charles P. Ginsburg, the first video tape recorder has evolved to be a valuable tool in preventing, capturing, and solving crimes. The use of footage shot from video cameras has become commonplace in modern society, so much so that reality shows such as “COPS” and “Most Shocking, Caught on Tape” provide entertainment for millions of viewers daily. Aside from the sheer entertainment value of the video used to produce these shows, there are many other advantages as well. Video footage has proven to be such a dependable deterrent and witness to crime that a large amount of law enforcement agencies make use of it to prevent motorist from running red lights and speeding without even being present to enforce the offense.

This same model can be useful in the sleep lab as well. I have worked in labs where video recording of patients during their entire visit was a mandatory protocol. The way it worked was that when patients checked in for their appointment they were required to sign video consent forms. The video consent forms informed them that the use of video would monitor and record them during their entire stay (i.e. during hook up, while in bed, and during the unhooking process). I would further reiterate this policy upon showing them to their room. They were informed to dress and undress in the bathroom which was the only room not under video surveillance. I would further explain that this safety measure was utilized to not only to protect them but the staff as well. In addition to the consent forms and verbal explanations small placards were located on the inside of the room stating “Audio and Video Recording in Process”. The mutually beneficial advantage of video recording provided peace of mind to patients and staff alike.

Audio

Audio devices, such as snore microphones and intercom systems, can provide further support to sleep technologist in their efforts to stay safe and limit potential lewd comments and inappropriate patient behavior. In addition to explaining the video monitoring policy, I would further make clear that everything said in the room and by the patient was being recorded. I informed them that these recordings would be reviewed by referring physicians, lab managers, and medical directors in order to facilitate diagnosing a wide variety of potential sleep disorders. I found that this strategy not only held patients accountable to higher standards of conduct, but also mandated technologist to uphold professionalism when interacting with them.

I am aware of the potential challenges and counter arguments that implementing these tactics may render. Issues such as file size, data management, archival space, and increased workload are essential elements to be considered when significantly increasing audio/video monitoring to include the entirety of a patients’ visit. In my opinion, I think that the end results justify the means in regards to staff and patient safety. As Lynn suggested in her article last week, “You can never be too safe”! Taking a pre-emptive approach to safety is most often the best defense. To submit additional suggestions for safety techniques for the sleep lab environment that were omitted or overlooked, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at mmiller@neurovirtual.com.

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Tags: difficult patient, patient safety, safety, sleep medicine, Sleep staff safety, sleep study, sleep study preparation