HSA INTRODUCES IN-LAB SLEEP STUDY AND SLEEP MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

Persons suffering with sleep disorders now have treatment options available at the Health Services Authority (HSA) with the opening of a new dedicated sleep laboratory and the recruitment of a sleep medicine physician at the Cayman Islands Hospital.

“For years the HSA has been remotely managing and treating patients with sleep disorders through at-home sleep studies,” said the Authority’s Medical Director, Dr. Jefferson. “Although convenient and comfortable, there are some limitations to testing in the absence of a technician and certain equipment.”

According to Dr Preeti Devnani, HSA’s first sleep medicine physician, the sleep lab testing provides a more detailed, accurate and comprehensive analysis of sleep disorders by monitoring a variety of functions including monitoring the patient’s brainwaves, oxygen saturation, leg motion, heart rate, and other critical benchmarks for diagnosing many sleep disorders.

“The thoroughness of the sensors that are used during an overnight test can detect or rule out a variety of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder,” stated Dr Devnani. “The presence of a credentialed and experienced technician and the sophisticated equipment used to ensure that the test goes according to plan and that the respiratory therapists and I get the data we need to interpret and conclude the diagnosis and treatment. The whole process is more comprehensive when done in-lab.”

Dr. Devnani is a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist certified with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She has 18 years of experience in the field of sleep disorders.

“Healthy sleep is increasingly seen as vital to almost every other aspect of good health, and sleep disorders often have a serious, pervasive impact on health, productivity and quality of life,” said Dr. Jefferson. “We are happy to be able to provide the highest quality of care for persons experiencing sleep problems through a sleep medicine physician who has all the skills necessary to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, thus helping to prevent serious life-threatening diseases and improve patients’ quality of life. With her level of dedication and understanding of the field of sleep medicine, Dr. Devnani is an excellent addition to the team.”