Better sleep begins at home with an all at-home sleep test

Often, your best nights of sleep are felt from the comfort of your own bed. But, if you sense a change in your sleep patterns or the quality of your rest, a sleep test could shed light on what’s happening in the dark. Thanks to IU Health’s Home Sleep Apnea Care team, you don’t have to leave your house to get the sleep answers you need. The Home Sleep Apnea Care screening and testing experience is done entirely from home from start to finish.

“When taking this test, patients no longer need to travel long distances, stay overnight in one of our Sleep Centers or worry about returning sleep test equipment, which were all common barriers we saw patients have with a traditional sleep test,” says Joe Risner, manager integrated sleep disorders center. “We’ve eliminated those steps and replaced them with an all at-home process that comes with convenience, comfort and accessibility.”

The process starts with a virtual sleep screening through an On-Demand Virtual Visit with a provider. If the screening indicates a high likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea, disposable sleep test equipment is shipped directly to the patient’s home. The test uses advanced monitoring technology to track breathing patterns, oxygen levels and sleep stages overnight—all while the patient sleeps in their own bed and follows their normal routine. Once the study is complete, the IU Health Sleep Medicine team reviews and interprets the results. Patients then connect with a sleep provider through a virtual visit to discuss findings and understand next steps for care, which may include treatment options tailored to their needs.

“Sleep plays a vital role in physical and mental health,” says Stephanie Stahl, MD. “It supports attention, memory and learning while allowing the body time to rest and restore itself. When sleep quality is impaired, the risk of health conditions such as depression, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease increases. Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea and taking steps toward evaluation can help restore healthy sleep patterns and improve quality of life. We’re dedicated to helping people achieve quality sleep, because good health truly begins with a good night’s rest.”

This home sleep apnea test option supports IU Health’s broader goal of making Indiana one of the healthiest states in the nation. The ability to complete the screening, testing and follow-up virtually helps ensure more people can access the care they need—wherever they live.

“Offering this sleep test option is just one example of the ways we’re consistently innovating to improve our patient’s sleep health and our patient experience,” says Risner. “We’re committed to offering our patients quality care designed with them.”

If sleep apnea symptoms are affecting the health or daily life of you, someone you love or a patient, learn more about the Home Sleep Apnea Care process and eligibility requirements here.