Respiratory Therapy
Sleep Lab Services
Respiratory Therapy may be reached at (812) 268-4311, ext. 2289 or 2295 to schedule an appointment or to answer questions.
Respiratory Therapy is a 24 hour per day, 7 days per week department providing the following services at Sullivan County Community Hospital. Services included are:
Stress Testing
(Cardiolite Treadmill or Chemical Stress Test): Stress testing checks for blockage or damage to the heart.
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
- PFTs are done to
- diagnose certain types of lung disease (such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema);
- find the cause of shortness of breath;
- measure whether exposure to chemicals at work affects lung function; and to
- check lung function before surgery.
Electroencephalograms (EEG)
The EEG test measures electrical activity of the brain and to detect possible seizure activity.
Electrocardiograms (EKG)
- EKG testing
- measures electrical activity of the heart to detect irregular heart rhythms or heart damage,
- is ordered prior to surgery; or to
- reflect underlying conditions due to pain or discomfort.
Holter Monitoring
A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that keeps track of your heart rhythm. The device is worn for 24 hours to detect irregular heart patterns.
30-Day Cardiac Event Monitoring
30-Day cardiac event monitoring—also known as ambulatory electrocardiography (EKG)—uses a battery-operated, portable device similar to a holter monitor to measure and record the heart’s electrical activity. The monitor is worn during daily activities, and while you sleep. It allows the heart’s electrical activity to be recorded intermittently over a period of 30 days.
Respiratory Therapy also treats patients with acute and chronic lung disorders with oxygen and aerosolized therapy, and assisted ventilation when necessary. Respiratory Therapy testing is usually scheduled by a physician on an outpatient basis.
Diagnostic Study
This initial study is used to detect sleep apnea, reasons for snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches or other disorders which may affect the health of the patient. (Appointments normally are scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. or arranged according to night-shift work schedules.)
Titration study
During a CPAP titration study (CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure,”) members of the sleep team will calibrate your CPAP. The goal is to find the right amount of air pressure to prevent your upper airway from becoming blocked. This eliminates breathing pauses in your sleep.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
The MSLT tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day.