ST. JOHNSBURY — Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) in St. Johnsbury and North Country Hospital (NCH) in Newport have collaborated to enhance sleep medicine services in Vermont with the opening of an expanded Northern Vermont Center for Sleep Disorders location
The center will open February 4.
The new clinic, which offers the latest in comprehensive diagnostics and treatment of sleep-related conditions, is conveniently located off I-91 (Exit 22) at 468 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury.
The joint venture between NVRH and NCH currently has two locations – one in Newport, at North Country Hospital, which will remain open, and one on the NVRH campus, which will transition to the new clinic location in St. Johnsbury.
“Through this partnership, the two hospitals are demonstrating a commitment to addressing the growing need for sleep medicine services in the Northeast Kingdom and beyond by investing in this new and expanded second location,” NVRH CEO Shawn Tester said.
The new clinic features four sleep rooms and four treatment rooms.
Each sleep room is equipped with a bed, television, adjustable lighting, individual climate control, and other features.
It is staffed and managed by Medical Director Veronika Jedlovszky MD, Weili Gray, MD, and Danielle Speer, ANP, as well as technicians to conduct the night time studies.
“The new clinic will provide more comprehensive and timely care for both consults and sleep studies for patients throughout the region,” Jedlovszky said.
Nearly 100 million Americans report problems with sleep disorders, which can affect an individual’s ability to function throughout the day and lead to other health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“Having seen the growth of the sleep center partnership over the last six years, it really was imperative that we make this expansion to meet the demand,” added North Country’s COO and the sleep clinic’s project lead, Tom Frank. “Our top-notch physicians, nurse practitioner and sleep technicians will complement both centers with sleep medicine and pulmonary care services, second to none.”
The center evaluates for and treats the full spectrum of sleep disorders in adults and children, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, nocturnal hypoventilation, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, other hypersomnia conditions, REM behavioral disorder, and other parasomnias.
Services include sleep consultation for adult and pediatric patients, sleep consultation for CDL exam, positive airway pressure therapy, CPAP, BIPAP, ASV, and other modes, oral appliance therapy, sleep hygiene education, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and medication management of various sleep disorders.
Tests available through the center include adult and pediatric diagnostic polysomnogram, adult and pediatric titration polysomnogram, multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), and home sleep study.
Sleep studies are available both weeknights and weekends.
Patients are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider about a referral to the sleep clinic and may also call 802-748-7901 with questions.
For more information visit www.northcountryhospital.org or www.nvrh.org.
An official ribbon-cutting and community open house will take place in late spring 2019.
