MVHS sleep-disorders center earns five-year accreditation

UTICA, N.Y. — The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has renewed the five-year accreditation for the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) sleep-disorders center.

AASM first accredited the center in 1997, MHVS said in a news release. The Darien, Illinois–based AASM is a medical association representing practitioners of sleep medicine and research.

The MVHS sleep-disorders center provides diagnosis and treatment of various sleep disorders. The center, located at the St. Elizabeth campus, includes a sleep monitoring control room and six bedroom suites. It has a staff of four registered polysomnographic technologists who are credentialed by the McLean, Virginia–based Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists and/or the AASM.

“One of the more common sleep problems is obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome,” Steven Levine, medical director of the MVHS sleep-disorders center. “Signs and symptoms may include snoring, periods where one stops breathing or gasps for air, morning headaches, frequent awakenings with need to urinate, problems with concentration and memory, mood swings and a feeling of depression, to name a few. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Studies indicate that it may result in an increased risk of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke and other vascular diseases.”

Accreditation to assess sleep programs is voluntary and based on the AASM’s standards for accreditation, MVHS said.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional quality healthcare as designated by the AASM.

The AASM accreditation process involves inspection of the center’s facility and staff, as well as an evaluation of testing policies and procedures, patient contact and education, and physician training.

Additionally, the facility must provide a “detailed” quality-assurance plan and include evidence of successfully meeting “clearly defined” goals and objectives.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com