Portable / Home Study
Why have a study at home?
In special circumstances, individuals who are confined to their residence due to medical or mobility considerations may be studied at home. A portable study performed in the home may also be used to expedite testing to identify sleep apnea in patients thought to very likely have the disorder, and having symptoms requiring urgent evaluation.
Comparison to a sleep center study
Generally, portable sleep studies performed in the home are not as comprehensive as studies done in the sleep center, due to technical and equipment limitations. Portable studies are typically performed in the absence of a sleep technician, who is present during a sleep center study to carefully document patient behaviors and to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly. Equipment problems, or displaced or loose sensors during unattended portable testing can result in inconclusive results. Though some portable studies may be performed using similar numbers of information gathering sensors as that used in a sleep center, most home diagnostic testing equipment utilizes limited channels that reduce the information available from the study, and conclusions that can be drawn from the test. Recent reviews comparing portable and sleep center testing for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea have concluded that sleep center studies are superior. At this time, Medicare does not cover testing performed outside a sleep laboratory, and most commercial insurers limit coverage of portable testing.
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