The Sleep Center at Pella Regional Health Center has been awarded reaccreditation for a period of five years by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Accreditation of sleep disorder centers is a voluntary process for the assessment of programs, and according to Pella Regional, reflects a commitment to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care. Manager of Pella Regional’s sleep center Darren Shull says less than 20 percent of sleep centers have received accreditation.

“There are about 100 sleep centers in Iowa, and only 19 of those are accredited facilities,” said Darren Shull, manager of the Sleep Center at Pella Regional. “Of those, only 14 are accredited to do home sleep testing. Accreditation means that our patients not only get a sleep study, they also get a treatment plan, follow up care, as well as education and expert guidance on how to improve their overall health and quality of life.”

Home sleep testing can screen for sleep apnea from the comforts of the patient’s home with equipment that is very easy to operate. After the test is completed, the staff downloads the recorded results and a board certified sleep physician at Pella Regional reviews the data. This option is for individuals who have suspected sleep apnea, but no other health concerns. Pella Regional’s sleep physician evaluates and determines who is a candidate for this type of testing.