UTICA — Mohawk Valley Health System Sleep Disorders Center has reopened to new patients.

The Sleep Disorders Center was closed to new patients since last September due to staffing issues. These issues have now been resolved and Medical Director Steven Levine,  and Caroline Going, PA, are now accepting new patients and will again perform sleep studies.

The MVHS Sleep Disorders Center is located in the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing building on the St. Elizabeth Campus, 2215 Genesee St. Appointments can be made by calling 315-801-3484.

In addition, the Sleep Center has received its sixth, five-year accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, maintaining its status as the first and longest standing accredited sleep center in the Mohawk Valley.   

“One of the more common sleep problems is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome,” said Dr. Levine. “Signs and symptoms may include snoring, periods where one stops breathing or gasps for air, morning headaches, frequent awakenings with need to urinate, problems with concentration and memory, mood swings and a feeling of depression, to name a few. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Studies indicate that it may result in an increased risk of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke and other vascular diseases.”

The MVHS Sleep Disorders Center features a state-of-the-art sleep monitoring control room and six comfortable bedroom suites. The MVHS Sleep Disorders Center has a staff of four registered polysomnographic technologists who are credentialed by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. 

Accreditation to assess sleep programs is voluntary and is based on Standards for Accreditation established by the AASM. The AASM is a professional medical association representing practitioners of sleep medicine and research.

To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional quality health care as designated by the AASM. The AASM accreditation process involves thorough inspection of the center’s facility and staff, as well as an evaluation of testing policies and procedures, patient contact and education and physician training. Additionally, the facility must provide a detailed quality assurance plan and include evidence of successfully meeting clearly defined goals and objectives as they relate to the quality of medical care in the community it serves.