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For more information, you may call GRMC's sleep lab at 641-236-2479.

GRMC Sleep Lab

Grinnell Regional Medical Center recently opened its new sleep lab on campus. Specially adapted sleep rooms are located on the second floor of the medical center near the intensive care unit. The GRMC sleep lab offers comprehensive diagnosis of sleep disorders.

This sleep lab was created to expand the availability of sleep studies for GRMC area residents. Sleep and Pulmonary Services, Inc., associated with the private practice of Michael McCubbin, MD, operates this sleep lab at GRMC, as well as the one located at the Deer Creek Health Center.

The best way to get a sleep study arranged is to talk with your regular healthcare provider and express your interest in having a test performed. Your physician will discuss your symptoms and may recommend a sleep study to identify if you have a sleeping disorder. Based on other health concerns, your healthcare provider will send an order to Sleep and Pulmonary Services. The sleep lab staff will call you to set up a time for the test and answer any further questions you may have.

Staff will also contact you and your insurance to determine if pre-approval is required for insurance coverage.  

Preparing for Your Sleep Study
The Sleep and Pulmonary Services staff will schedule your sleep study. Since this is an overnight sleeping test, you should not need to take off work to complete this test. The staff will schedule a sleep study time that coordinates with your normal sleep schedule.

On the day of your study:

  • Complete normal activities of work and life.
  • Avoid caffeine such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate after noon.
  • Avoid taking a nap on the day prior to your sleep test.
  • Take your normal medications, unless your healthcare providers have instructed you to do otherwise.
  • Eat a normal evening meal prior to coming to GRMC. You do not need to bring any food or beverages.

Just before coming to the GRMC sleep lab:

  • Shower, wash your hair with shampoo only, dry your hair, but do not apply hair conditioners, sprays, oils, or gels. This is to assure the sensors adhere to your body correctly.
  • Pack an overnight bag as if going to a hotel or friend’s house for the night.
  • Bring your own pajamas, a favorite pillow, clothing to wear home in the morning, toiletries, and any medications you will need during the time you are away from home.
  • Turn off your cell phone and pager during the sleep test so they do not interrupt your sleep.
  • You will arrive at GRMC in the evening, prior to your normal bedtime. You may park in the visitor spaces in the GRMC emergency entrance parking lot. Check in at the emergency department admitting area.
  • You should be home in time for your normal breakfast routines and meal.

In the Sleep Lab
GRMC’s sleep lab has two overnight rooms. It is staffed by specially trained sleep technicians who will be available to you all night. They will make sure you are safe and also monitor your sleep. While you are sleeping, the technicians will be gathering important information about your body such as breathing, heart rate, brainwaves, muscle movement, body movements, and oxygen in your blood. The sleep study requires at least six hours of sleep data. The goal is to have the patient in the sleep lab for eight hours. 

Following your explanation of what to expect while in the GRMC sleep lab, you will be given time to complete your routine bedtime practices of changing clothes and getting ready for sleep. You will then have electrodes (sensors connected to equipment) applied to your body. 

Once you are settled into bed, the technicians will shut the door and monitor you via a camera and equipment. If you need anything during the night you may simply speak and the technician will assist you. Although many patients fear not being able to fall asleep, most patients do fall asleep quickly. A toilet is located in your room so you may get up at anytime and use the facility. The technician will assist with disconnecting and reconnecting the equipment. Most patients get up at least once during the sleep study.

Next Steps
The summary data from your test is interpreted by Dr. Michael McCubbin and a recommendation will be provided. Analyzing the data will usually take two weeks. You will be contacted by Dr. McCubbin’s office with the results of your test and any recommendations provided by him for your treatment. A copy of the summary will also be submitted to your referring healthcare provider. You should also contact your provider after you received your results to schedule a follow-up appointment.

You will receive a bill from GRMC for your sleep test. You will also receive a bill for the interpretation of your sleep study by Dr. McCubbin of Sleep and Pulmonary Services.  

For more information on sleep disorders, sleep studies, or to schedule a sleep test, please feel free to call Sleep and Pulmonary Services at 641-621-1487.