APNEA LINK at-home sleep test INSTRUCTIONS

How to Use Your At-Home Sleep Test

Why did my provider prescribe me this sleep test?

This test is designed to evaluate you for sleep apnea, a common disorder that causes your throat to close at night while you sleep, preventing you from breathing.

These pauses in breathing or ‘apneas’ put a lot of stress on your body. Sleep apnea can also contribute to numerous other health issues, many of them serious, including heart failure, elevated blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

What if I’m not tired?

While many patients with sleep apnea experience day-time sleepiness, snoring and nighttime wakefulness, you may not feel tired or have any obvious symptoms, but still be suffering from sleep apnea. This puts you at greater risk of developing secondary health issues or diseases. This is why a simple home sleep test is a quick and convenient way to either diagnose or rule-out sleep apnea for you.

Please open your test kit and review its contents. Should any items be missing please contact us immediately at ***

Testing device with belt: The black box is the data storage for the entire test. It also monitors the fluctuation of your chest while you breathe.

Nasal cannula: Plastic tubing is attached to the testing device. It is used to monitor your breathing during the study.

Pulse oximeter: This is worn on the finger and is used to monitor your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood.

2) Please review the instructions on assembly and use of the device. Please do not actually put the device on until you are ready to go to sleep. Remember the test device should be used on the night that you receive it, and returned the following day.

PUTTING ON THE HOME APNEA TEST

Fitting the belt: Wrap the belt tightly around your chest with the test box in front. The belt should be strapped onto your body above your breasts in the center of your chest and should be very snug. You should not be uncomfortable, but it needs to be secure.

Placing the nasal cannula: Insert the prongs into the nostrils. Be sure to have the curved tube pointing towards the back of the nose. Loop the tubing around the ears. Pull the slider up towards the chin until the plastic tubing is secure and comfortable.

Put pulse oximeter around the finger: Slip the opening of the oximeter over your pointer finger of either hand.

STARTING THE TEST

Press down and hold the power button in the center of the device for about 3 seconds.The light WILL turn on.
Check the pulse on the monitor on your finger which should be lit up as well. If so, you are ready to go to sleep. If the lights are not on, wait 5 minutes and press the button again. The finger monitor should always have a red light on inside it, this will let you know that the machine is on correctly.

ENDING THE TEST

After you wake up before you leave the bed, press and hold the power button for another 3 seconds.The test complete light should turn green or red. Then hold it down for another 3 seconds and the device will shut off.
Now you can place the machine and all its accessories into the return bag provided to you.
Complete the post sleep questionnaire and place it in the return bag with the testing device.