PGH uses Philips tech to reopen sleep lab services

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has reopened its Sleep Laboratory Services using the Philips Alice 6 LDx Diagnostic sleep system. Advances in medical technology, and appropriate diagnosis and treatment will be accessible to patients affected with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) at an affordable price.

To assure the quality of the studies, PGH will use one of the latest video polysomnography (Alice-6) in the country, a computerized sleep-wake and physiological monitoring system. With 55 channels, it allows a complete EEG examination to investigate seizures, multiple sleep latency tests and the usual diagnostic or titration studies. It meets the polysomnographic specifications of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and comes with a video acquisition system to document sleep parasomnias and seizure episodes.

The system, donated by the Green Cross-Jesus Co Ay Tian Foundation, is one of the most advanced machines available in the Philippines obtained through Respicare Enterprises. It facilitates diagnosis and treatment modification during one session. Philips also has a variety of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines – the machines used to treat OSA – which are more affordable.

As a seldom-discussed, under-diagnosed condition, OSA is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle and prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs. Symptoms of OSA include choking or gasping for air during sleep, loud and persistent snoring and excessive daytime fatigue and poor concentration during the day. If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious short and longterm health risks including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure.

PGH Sleep Services recently opened to the public and will be in full operation before the year ends.

Enquiries can be made at PGH through the Pulmonary Laboratory (tel: 5518400 local 3157).