As a result of a recently formed partnership with Whitney Sleep Diagnostics & Consultants, Swift County-Benson Hospital is pleased to announce its new sleep medicine program. Patients can now receive diagnosis and treatment for their sleep disorder right in Benson. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome or any of the 84 known sleep disorders, you can now receive care without having to leave town.
People who snore excessively or stop breathing during sleep may have sleep apnea. It is estimated that up to 18 million American adults have sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and work or traffic-related accidents due to daytime fatigue. If you or someone you care about is having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or not waking up refreshed, you can talk with your healthcare provider about sleep. A simple screening tool available through your healthcare provider’s office can help determine if a sleep study is the best course of action for your situation.
“Sleep medicine continues to grow as a need among our patients, so we’re excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Whitney, and bring his expertise to our patients. Of course, patients also benefit from not having to travel,” commented Melissa McGinty-Thompson, Chief Nursing Officer at Swift County Benson Hospital. “Our patients now have the ability to be tested locally, and receive follow up from their study by the same Board Certified Sleep Specialist that interpreted their sleep study. Our new sleep program is driven by positive patient outcomes as opposed to simply diagnosing a sleep disorder. Now people living in and around Benson can receive the same, if not better, sleep medicine services as those who live in a major metropolitan area.”
Patients who have had a sleep study in the past, but are either non-compliant with therapy or have questions about their study can talk with their Healthcare Provider about a consultation with a Sleep Specialist. Whitney Sleep can also help with CPAP questions and supplies.
Patients who wish to have the continuity of care–sleep disorder diagnosed, treated and managed–that Whitney Sleep is able to provide locally, should tell their provider that they would like a referral to the full service sleep lab at Swift County Benson Hospital.
Dr. Courtney Whitney, who oversees all aspects of the sleep program at Swift County Benson Hospital, is a Board Certified Sleep Physician. In 2004, he opened the Whitney Sleep Center in Plymouth, MN and in 2008 created Whitney Sleep Diagnostics specifically to provide comprehensive sleep medicine services to the rural market. His decision to partner with rural hospitals allows people living in less populated areas access to all of the benefits of a fully accredited sleep center.
According to Dr Whitney, “The new partnership with Whitney Sleep helps demonstrate the commitment Swift County Benson Hospital has to the community it serves.”
