Home Sleep Testing (HST)

What Is a Home Sleep Test (HST)?

If you have been scheduled for a sleep test, your doctor may suspect that you have a sleep disorder. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers different types of sleep studies, which use state-of-the-art technology to accurately diagnose sleep disorders and provide you with the best treatment.

Your doctor will have requested either a hospital sleep study (polysomnogram), which monitors for a wide range of functions and needs to be carried out within the hospital sleep clinic, or a Home Sleep Test, done at home. The type of test you need will depend on your individual needs and clinical requirements.

A Home Sleep Test or HST is a type of sleep study done in the comfort of your own home, and helps determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The test will monitor things like breathing and heart rate and does not need to be overseen by medical teams.

A doctor may recommend home sleep testing if:

• It is highly likely that you have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea
• You have no significant medical conditions other than the suspected obstructive sleep apnea

Since home tests are used to only diagnose breathing disorders, fewer sensors are used for testing, and the device is generally seen as more comfortable. A home sleep test comes with equipment that you can easily apply to your body before sleeping.

The equipment records air flow through your nose and mouth, chest and abdomen movement, oxygen levels in your blood, heart rhythm, breathing rate and rhythm, snoring, and your sleeping position.

The Day of your Home Sleep Test

• Please go to the Pulmonary Clinic located on the second floor, to check in.
• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to appointment time.
• You will be escorted to the financial counselor room where a refundable deposit of AED1,800 will be paid for the loan of the equipment
  • Deposit can be paid in cash or by using credit card (holding only).
  • Cash will be refunded next day upon return of the device before 10am.
• A technologist will then train you on:
  • How to use the device, giving useful troubleshooting tips. Additionally, phone numbers and a video tutorial link will be given to address any questions you may have about the sleep test.
• Avoid napping during the day on the day of the test.
• Do not have any caffeinated drinks or foods such tea, coffee, cola and chocolate, at least 6-8 hours before your usual sleep time.

During your Home Sleep Test (At home)

• You can sleep at your regular bedtime.
• Before going to sleep, attach the sensors to your body as instructed by the technologist.
• Sleep comfortably, trying to get some sleep on your back and sides to allow for recording of your breathing in all sleeping positions.

After your Home Sleep Test

• When you wake up in the morning, carefully remove all sensors from your body and place equipment in the bag provided.
• Complete the morning questionnaire, which will be given to you by the technician.
• The sleep study device, along with the morning questionnaire, need to be returned on the next working day before 10 AM to the financial councilors room (second floor clinic).
• A delay in returning the device will result in loss of your guarantee deposit and may also affect testing for other patients who are scheduled the next day.

Home Sleep Test Results

Results will be available after 1 week and you will be requested to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss your results.

If you need a printed copy of your results, please contact the HIMS (Hospital Information Management System) department, located on Level P1, after 7 working days of the test.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi at 800 8 CCAD (2223), extension # 41054

(day time) or to 19064 (night time).