Polysomnography Board Preparation - Two Day Course
New AASM Scoring Scoring Rules
Course Dates

April 22 - 23, 2010 (Ann Arbor, MI) 595.00 Register
July 29 - 30, 2010 (Ann Arbor, MI) 595.00 Register
October 21 - 22, 2010 (Ann Arbor, MI) 595.00 Register

This review course is intended for experienced technologists possessing a basic understanding of PSG concepts who are now preparing for the written examination. This is NOT a course for beginners. Those seeking basic training in PSG should take the PSG Fundamentals course or PSG Scoring course. This 2-day seminar will provide the student with a comprehensive review and clarification of the more difficult concepts of sleep technology. Using the examination content outline published by the board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT), course attendees will review: Patient Preparation and the International 10-20 Measurement System, Sleep Staging using the newly revised AASM Scoring Rules, EEG Arousals, Respiratory Scoring, Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep, Cardiac Arrhythmias, MSLT and MWT, PSG Report Generation and Computations, Treatment ( CPAP / BiLevel / O2 ) of Sleep Disordered Breathing, Artifact Recognition, Instrumentation, Review of Common Sleep Disorders, BRPT Exam Process Review, and a Self Assessment Examination.

PATIENT PREPARATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL 10-20 SYSTEM  The International 10 – 20 System of Electrode Placement and a detailed explanation of non-cephalic recording sites will be reviewed. This includes electrodes to record brain activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), chin and limb muscle activity (EMG), as well as respiration (airflow, thorax, and abdomen) and cardiac signals (ECG).

SLEEP STAGING  A comprehensive review of normal sleep architecture followed by a presentation of the characteristics of the various sleep stages will begin this section. Addressed in the review is how brain (EEG), eye movement (EOG), and mental / submental muscle (EMG) signals are used to define Non-REM Stages Wake, N1, N2, N3, and Stage REM sleep. Individual epoch examples will illustrate how these variables, viewed collectively, provide diagnostic information regarding normal and/or abnormal sleep.

EEG AROUSALS  EEG Arousals will be defined and illustrated helping you understand how to identify these disturbances of sleep.

RESPIRATORY SCORING  We will review scoring and identification of apneas (obstructive, central, mixed apneas) and hypopneas.

PERIODIC LIMB MOVEMENTS OF SLEEP SCORING A review is provided on the scoring and identification of periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS).

CARDIAC ARRHYTHIMIAS  The polysomnographic technologist must be proficient in recognizing pre-existing or ECG abnormalities that may occur during the all-night study. A review is provided on accurately and quickly identifying normal and abnormal ECGs. Life threatening arrhythmias will be highlighted.

MULTIPLE SLEEP LATENCY (MSLT) and MAINTENANCE OF WAKEFULNESS TEST (MWT)  A section covers a review of how the MSLT & MWT are performed and scored.

PSG REPORT GENERATION and COMPUTATIONS  Included for review is the generation of an accurate sleep report required of the technologist. The various calculations and indexes will be reviewed followed by your personal tabulation of these formulas.

TREATMENT OF SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING  Addressed will be a review of the various therapeutic interventions of CPAP, BiPAP & 02 administration used during the course of a sleep study.

ARTIFACT RECOGNITION  You will review how to recognize and troubleshoot different artifacts encountered during the recording of the polysomnogram. These artifact sources include the electrode, patient, instrument, and environment.

INSTRUMENTATION  Addressed will be the concepts of Digital PSG including Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) specifically horizontal (sampling rate, dwell time, aliasing) and vertical (bit capacity) resolution. Also reviewed will be sensitivity, filters, frequency response curves, monitor display, and waveform measurements of voltage, frequency, and duration. A review in the importance of instrument and patient calibrations will also be provided.

REVIEW OF COMMON SLEEP DISORDERS  You will be given a basic review of the more common sleep disorders seen in the sleep laboratory to include definitions, symptoms, characteristics and PSG/MSLT findings seen in each disorder. Disorders covered include Intrinsic Dyssomnias (Narcolepsy, OSA, CSA, PLMS), Extrinsic Dyssomnias, Circadian Rhythm Disorders Dyssomnias, Time Zone Change, Shift Work, Delayed/Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome, Parasomnias, Arousal Disorders – sleepwalking, sleep terrors and confusional arousals; Sleep – Wake Transition Disorders – sleep starts, sleep talking; those associated with REM Sleep – nightmares, sleep paralysis, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder; Bruxism, Enuresis).

BRPT EXAM PROCESS REVIEW  An overview of the exam process will aid you as you prepare to take the national registry exam. A discussion of the exam application process, eligibility requirements and study guide based on the BRPT outline.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION  The course concludes with a general review and answering final questions. A self assessment examination will be administered and after everyone has completed the test we will review each question and provide the correct answer. No one sees your test but you, not even the instructors. It is only used as a guide to help you assess your knowledge and skills acquired during the course.