Sleep Disorders Center

Located at Eisenberg 8-G, the Mayo Sleep Disorders Center is a multidisciplinary enterprise compromised of pulmonologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, a psychologist, nurses and polysomnographic technologists engaged in a vibrant array of clinical, educational and research activities.

Comprehensive management of the full spectrum of adult and pediatric sleep disorders characterizes the clinical practice. The most commonly encountered conditions include sleep-disordered breathing syndromes, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disturbances. In 2002, physicians and nurses conducted more than 9,700 patient encounters including 3,400 new consults and nearly 2,800 polysomnograms were performed. Recent steps to improve access for patients include:

• Increase from 12 beds to 16 beds for polysomnography. Sleep studies are now performed Sunday through Friday nights.
• Creation of 3 new patient exam rooms at Eisenberg 8-G.

• Addition of Dr. John G. Park to the consultant staff.

• Expansion of the “Fast Track” program for uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea patients.

• Institution of an “Urgent Oximetry” program to expedite evaluations (often within 48 hours) for patients whose overnight oximetry suggests severe sleep disordered breathing.

The Sleep Disorders Center has supported a one-year fellowship in Sleep Medicine since the 1980s making it one of the oldest fellowships of its kind in the United States. Applicants are fielded from pulmonary/critical care, neurology and psychiatry training programs. The Mayo Graduate School of Medicine recently approved expansion of the fellowship from two positions/year to four. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has agreed to begin accrediting Sleep Medicine fellowships. Mayo trainees from pulmonary/critical care, neurology and psychiatry may rotate in the Sleep Disorders Center. Physician and technical staff of the Sleep Disorders Center also support the Clinical Neurophysiology Technology Training Program of the Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Active intra- and extra-murally funded research activities are ongoing in sleep-disordered breathing, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and REM Behavior Disorder. Drs. Sean Caples and Peter Hahn have been appointed Mayo Foundation Scholars for 2003-05 and are collaborating with Dr. Virend Somers of the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases to explore the cardiovascular implications of sleep-disordered breathing.