Sleep Study

[2quilt]

I had a sleep study last night, and I want your opinion on what I should say in my complaint letters. The technicians were adamant (one male, one female) that they enter my bedroom while I was asleep to adjust the machine, even though I told them that I have PTSD. I told them that I would not stay and do the study if a male was allowed to come into my room. The reply I got was that the rooms are all videotaped.
I don't care, I am not allowing any male to creep around in my bedroom while I am asleep. The techs can adjust the machine remotely, so there is no reason to enter my room unless I have to get unhooked to go to the bathroom.
If I chose not to stay for the study, i would be charged $200US.
It took them 90 minutes to come back and give me the answer once I got mad and told the techs that it was not negotiable, that no males are allowed in my room, and if anyone female needs to come in my room, that she call me over the PA system and knock hard on the door and wait for a response to make sure I am awake before entering my room. I told them I didnt feel safe and the tech just made a noise with her lips, like pfft.
I cried.
After the 90 minute wait, I got hooked up and did the sleep study, but I woke up several times, once while having a nightmare and cried out Help! but nobody spoke to me over the intercom and nobody came to my room to see if I was alright; evidently they were not monitoring me.
In the morning, two tech wanted to change my bed while I got unhooked and I said no because my wallet was in the room. They could have waited five minutes. Again the tech dismissed my request saying that there was videotaping of the room.
They changed my bed while I was getting unhooked, and when I complained, they made the video excuse once again, ignoring my request for privacy.
The shower had never been cleaned. Someone else's electrode was stuck to the back wall, and the shower was dirty. I hope that I don't catch athelete's foot or staph from this facility.
I am still feeling weapy and nervous from last night and the sleep study results may well be worthless because I could not sleep normally because I was so afraid.

 

[Deleted member 541]

I'm not sure if complaining/making a complaint will help. They have their rules too, and some they are not willing to give any room with.

I give you credit, I could never do a sleep study. Just being out of my safe zone, and having strangers watching me, would be way to anxiety provoking for me....

Hopefully your time wasn't wasted and the test will come out with answers for you.......

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hello, I'm not sure if it would be worth your time and energy to complain. I certainly understand why you would want to though.

I tried a sleep study about 15 years ago and never could fall asleep and the techs where real snotty. I wonder if there is something about that type of work that is real stressful for them to create an attitude like that.

Try to remember that everyone is dealing with some type of issue. I'm not excusing their behavior just trying to help you not get worked up and angry over it.

Now the bathroom issue, that is a different story.

Ultimately, I think this is your decision to make and if you feel you have to make a complaint then you should do it. Maybe give it a couple more days before you decide OK?

Take care of yourself
Tammy

 

[lrs]

I think you should raise the roof for the unprofessional, insensitive manner in which this was conducted. It appears to me that every issue and concern you expressed was blown off. I know these people have a job to do, but don't we all? The people doing your sleep study seem to have forgotten we are totally vulnerable when we are sleeping.
Your concerns should have been respected.
In addition, in a sleep study, you are wired from head to toe. You are in a strange bed, in a strange room. It's hard for many to fall asleep under these conditions.
How are they going to study your sleep patterns, if they have turned you into a nervous wreck?
I recently had a sleep study, the people couldn't have been more professional and accomodating.
I think they would have brought me my pipe and slippers if I had asked.
I think you should talk to the Doctor, or even the Administrator ( CEO in some hospitals ).

 

[cherryblossom]

I think a complaint is most definately in order.

Surely the fact that you were there for a sleep study means that you have problems with sleep, and it sounds like these people did nothing to help you, or make you feel at ease. How the heck is anyone supposed to sleep and get credible results from a sleep study if they are made to feel so uncomfortable. I'm sure that because you were so distressed by the whole experience, the results with be worthless to you.

I would complain at the highest level, about all aspects of the experience that caused you worries, including the dirty shower. I would also put all the issues in writing, rather than just talking to someone. I know it won't erase what has happened to you, but it may make things better for others in the future.

I hope you are beginning to feel better after such a stressful time.

Regards, CB