VCHS Sleep Program Earns National Accreditation
ORD, Neb. – The Valley County Health System (VCHS) Sleep Program recently earned national accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
“This accreditation reaffirms VCHS’s dedication and commitment to meeting national standards of performance and patient care for our growing sleep program,” VCHS Chief Nursing Officer Vicki Bredthauer, RN, CEN, CNO said. “Patients receive quality, progressive care close to home when choosing VCHS for the diagnosis or treatment of a sleep disorder.”
The VCHS Sleep Program evaluates and treats sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and sleepwalking, which affect more than 50 million Americans. Such disorders can contribute to other health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke. To assist in diagnosing the disorder(s), the program offers sleep studies in a hospital sleep lab and in-home sleep studies.
“Quality sleep is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing and health, so VCHS offers three primary types of sleep tests – one on-site and two in-home versions – to meet the needs and preferences of each patient,” VCHS Sleep Program's Mark Deaton, LRCP said. “For all three tests, we use state-of-the-art equipment and updated technology to ensure patients are receiving the highest level of care through our sleep program.”
On-site sleep studies are administered by a licensed sleep technician in a designated sleep lab at VCHS. For in-home sleep studies, the patient receives instruction from Deaton on how to set up and self-administer the home sleep test, providing on-call assistance if needed. Both types of tests are scored and interpreted by a board-certified sleep specialist. The patient then receives the results and recommendations for a plan of action and treatment that may include behavioral modifications, surgery, medications, Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) or dental appliances.
“Accreditation of the VCHS Sleep Program is another example of how VCHS continues to provide progressive care with compassion right here in our communities,” Bredthauer said.
Until recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule changes, the sleep program was previously accredited under hospital accreditation.
If you have questions or would like more information about sleep disorders and the VCHS Sleep Program, call 308.728.4309 or schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
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Pictured: VCHS Chief Nursing Officer Vicki Bredthauer, RN, CEN, CNO, and VCHS Sleep Program's Mark Deaton, LRCP at a VCHS Sleep Lab
