Oregon Sleep Specialists celebrated the opening of their new Hermiston location with a ribbon cutting last month. From left to right: Technician Kale Sherbakoff, owners Brandon Slavik, Anndrea Jacobs and Dr. Keith Ironside.

Shift workers and sleepy area residents now have another resource for diagnosing sleep disorders like insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

This month, La Grande-based Oregon Sleep Specialists (OSS) opened its newest location in Hermiston to offer home sleep testing for diagnosis and treatment of sleep disturbances.

There is a huge need for sleep centers, and what we found is that home sleep studies are an excellent screening tool before a patient goes into a sleep center. That is what we specialize in home sleep tests and, with the economy right now, the cost is so much more affordable for people than an overnight sleep study, OSS co-owner Anndrea T. Thompson-Jacobs said Monday. Were being proactive on the front end and helping to tell patients if they need to go to a sleep center. People cannot afford to have sleep studies, and were putting patients into the sleep centers who need to be there.

OSS began in October 2009 when Thompson-Jacobs, board certified sleep specialist Dr. Keith Ironside and Brandon Slavik joined together to offer a home-testing service. In a home sleep test, a patient speaks with a registered therapist at an OSS office and is taught how to operate a machine that they take home and use. After the test is completed, they return the machine to the therapist, who in turn uploads the information and provides it to Ironside to review.

Its a really simple process my children can use the machines, Thompson-Jacobs said. Its very easy for people, and they can do it on their own time in their home. A lot of times theres a misconception the therapist goes into the home, and thats not what happens. Our therapist shows the patient how to hook it up, and then they go home with the machine and do it on their own. The results have been extremely accurate and extremely effective.

The site is accepting new patients, by appointment only, and referrals are not necessary. A referral from OSS to a full sleep lab, however, can save patients with insurance carriers.

Sometimes if a patient goes into a sleep lab and the results are negative, the insurance wont pay for it, Thompson-Jacobs said. This is a screening tool, so most insurance companies will then pay for the (sleep) study if its cleared through home study.

OSS also boasts offices in Tigard, Southwest Portland and La Grande, and the company decided to expand into Hermiston because Thompson-Jacobs grew up in the area and because of an established need for sleep centers.

It just made sense to go into Hermiston because it seems like there was a need, she said. This is a perfect fit.

 For more information about OSS or to schedule an appointment, call 866-285-4245.