PRESS RELEASE

NEW ENGLAND SINAI HOSPITAL SLEEP DISORDERS PROGRAM EXPANDS
TO MEET GROWING DEMAND

 

STOUGHTON, MA —  New England Sinai Hospital President and CEO Lester P. Schindel has announced the expansion of the Sleep Disorders Program in affiliation with Sleep HealthCenters® at Sinai in Stoughton. “The expansion will increase the number of scheduled sleep studies from 14 to 20 per week and meet to help the growing number of people who suffer from chronic sleep disorders. After only one year of operation, our Sleep Disorders Program continues attract a large number of patients who wish to take advantage of our comprehensive sleep medicine services,” he said.

Sinai is the only long-term, acute care hospital in the South Shore area with a sleep center. Patients come to Sinai for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, medical consultations, sleep studies and treatment options. Obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy are just some of the sleep disorders that respond to treatment. Sinai Chief of Pulmonary Medicine Dr. Alexander White is also Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Program and Board certified in Sleep Medicine. He notes that, “Sleep disordered breathing and nocturnal hypoventilation are an important arm of pulmonary medicine and given that Sinai is a center of pulmonary excellence, having a program like this is a logical extension of what we do.

According to Ralph Colangelo, Sinai Director of Outpatient Services, “The Sleep Disorders Program performed a total of 515 sleep studies, which represents a 77% increase over the number anticipated for its first year of operation. Referrals for sleep studies have continued to increase, and in response to this strong referral volume, Sinai and Sleep HealthCenters have expanded our sleep study capability from two to four beds.”

To learn more about sleep medicine services at Sinai call 877-753-3742 or visit New England Sinai Hospital at www.newenglandsinai.org and click on outpatient services. To learn more about Sleep HealthCenters, visit their website at www.sleephealth.com.

Approximately 90% of patients with sleep disorders are treated for obstructive sleep apnea, a common disorder characterized by repetitive collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. In patients with a reasonable probability of sleep apnea, a sleep study is indicated. "Patients who are treated for sleep apnea are often very pleased with how rapidly their condition improves," Dr. White said. Patients admitted for overnight sleep study at Sinai will find private bedrooms designed like hotel rooms in a noise-free environment with a private bath, full-size bed and a TV. In the morning following sleep studies, patients are offered a continental breakfast before going on their way. Contact with a patient's own referring physician is maintained throughout the process and services are covered by most insurance plans.

Sleep HealthCenters is a recognized network of specialized sleep medicine centers offering a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for those with sleep disorders and the largest provider of such services in Massachusetts. Sinai will be joining other area hospitals that currently offer the sleep health program in affiliation with Sleep HealthCenters: Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Faulkner Hospital; Hallmark Health; McLean Hospital; Chadwick Medical Associates; and UMass Memorial Medical Group.

Paul S. Valentine, President and CEO of Sleep HealthCenters, said, "In our efforts to care for patients with sleep disorders across Massachusetts, Sleep HealthCenters continues to expand. In addition, to staying in the forefront of sleep medicine, Sleep HealthCenters and our partners are working with some of the premier sleep researchers in the country to study sleep disorders and treatment options."

At least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders or intermittent sleep-related problems. Sleep deprivation is an unhealthy, dangerous and costly problem, contributing to obesity, diabetes and other health problems. Studies also link sleep disorders with an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

                                                     
 

New England Sinai Hospital is a 212-bed, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, long-term acute-care hospital with its main campus in Stoughton, MA and inpatient satellite units at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston and Caritas Carney Hospital in Dorchester. Recognized as a regional leader in pulmonary, medically complex and acute rehabilitation care, Sinai also offers a wide range of outpatient programs and services.  Sinai is a teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine.

Contact:
Carole Herrup
Public Relations Director
New England Sinai Hospital
150 York Street
Stoughton, MA 02072

Tel. 781-297-1329
FAX: 781-297-7509