Press Releases

Mercy Hospital Offers New Option for Sleep Disorders

Port Huron , MI …Restful sleep in a busy world is a goal worth attaining. There is a growing awareness among physicians and their patients regarding sleep disorders and their disruptive affect on quality of life and general health. To help area residents rest easier, Mercy Hospital is pleased to announce it has opened the Mercy Sleep Disorders Center.

Although sleep disorders affect millions of people, as reported to Congress from the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, most don’t recognize the symptoms. Even fewer realize that, once detected, most sleep disorders can be corrected.

More and more medical publications address the issue of sleep disorders. Numerous articles, television specials and special interest publications have focused on sleep disorders medicine, with a tremendous response from the public. Working in concert with area physicians, Mercy Hospital has partnered with The Sleep Network, Inc., to develop a comprehensive sleep disorders service to better serve community residents.

The practice of sleep disorders medicine has grown significantly in size and importance in recent years due to the recognition of the incidence of sleep disorders and their impact on overall health, along with the establishment of somnology as an important medical specialty. As a result, there is a growing need to provide quality and consistent sleep diagnostic and treatment services for conditions such as sleep apnea and snoring; narcolepsy; insomnia; periodic limb movement disorder; respiratory problems and lung disease; sleep-wake schedule disruptions due to shift work and jet lag; and nightmares or night terrors.

“ Mercy Hospital underwent an exhaustive research process in determining both community need and physician interest in sleep services to address this trend and has expanded services to offer sleep disorders testing and treatment,” comments Jason Hinz, Vice President of Business Development for Mercy Hospital. “The Mercy Sleep Disorders Center is overseen by a panel of physicians and the expertise of a physician specialist Board-Certified in Sleep Studies.”

The Mercy Sleep Disorders Center offers full patient evaluations by consultation: this includes an interview, physical exam and review of sleep/wake logs. Some patients may require an overnight polysomnography (sleep study), a painless sleep test used to diagnose sleep disorders by monitoring brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, respiration, oxygen level in the blood and audio monitoring.

To add to patient comfort and security, the Mercy Sleep Disorders Center is located within Mercy Hospital in a beautifully remodeled and dedicated center on the east front of the hospital; with ease of access on the hospital’s main floor and its own patient entrance. This new, state-of-the-art center has been designed for patient convenience and includes private suites, a patient lounge and kitchen.

“The intent of the Mercy Sleep Disorders Center is to provide a comprehensive evaluation and management system for sleep disorders,” concludes Hinz. “Emphasis in our sleep center is placed on matching patients with the treatments that will be most effective for them.”

Patients seen are referred to the Mercy Sleep Disorders Center by their physician. For more information, please contact the Mercy Sleep Disorders Center at (810) 966-1700.

Mercy Hospital continually looks to identify and address the healthcare needs of the community through collaborative work. For more information about Mercy Hospital, please visit online at: www.mercyporthuron.com.