If you have not seen the latest from the AASM that directly impacts working sleep techs, I have included the letter below. What are your thoughts about the AASM deciding the value of your RPSGT Credential, allowing Auto Scoring for Home Sleep Studies, and now supporting a routine 3:1 ratio of patients to tech?
Please post your opinion (agree or disagree). If you have no opinion then you should say nothing when the industry changes.
“Dear Accredited Sleep Disorders Center,
Over the past year, selected sleep disorders centers accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine participated in an assessment of current laboratory procedures to identify areas for improved patient care and safety as well as efficiency. The report resulting from this year-long assessment has assisted the Board of Directors in making strategic decisions related to policy for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
After reviewing the final report, the Board of Directors amended Standard B-7 of the Standards for Accreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers. To ensure the highest quality of care and patient safety the standard continues to recommend a patient-to-technologist ratio of 2:1 for attended polysomnography, and now allows for a maximum ratio of 3:1. The revised standard states:
| B-7 – Sleep Technicians and TechnologistsAASM accredited sleep facilities must maintain appropriately trained, supervised, and, where required by state law, licensed sleep technologists. Technologist staffing must be adequate to address the workload of the sleep facility and assure the safety of patients. This includes a recommended patient to technologist ratio of 2:1 and a maximum patient to technologist ratio of 3:1 under usual circumstances for attended polysomnography. |
A complete version of the current Standards for Accreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers may be downloaded at www.aasmnet.org/accreditation.aspx. “
