Getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult when you struggle with sleep apnea or related conditions. These conditions can be challenging to treat because they affect everyone differently. Luckily, technology is evolving to make life easier for people who struggle with these sleep conditions. We are excited to announce the launch of our Sleep Therapy Effectiveness Program (STEP).
STEP is just one of the ways that we can help you manage chronic sleep conditions. Read on to learn why STEP is so helpful for managing chronic sleep issues.
What is the Sleep Therapy Effectiveness Program (STEP)?
STEP uses technology to check in on your health between in-person doctor visits. There are many different ways to use STEP technology, but it is particularly helpful if you struggle with sleep issues.
In this case, you would connect your CPAP machine or other sleep devices to your doctor’s tracking system via the internet. Many devices now have the capability to be linked into a system that is online to make it very easy for your doctor to have access to your data directly.
Your doctor can then assess this data to make sure your treatment is working properly and make adjustments as needed. STEP technology allows both you and your doctor to keep track of any changes in your sleep, giving you both more control of your health.
Sleep is just one way that your doctor can monitor your health using STEP technology. Other examples of this technology include glucose monitoring systems for patients with diabetes or blood pressure trackers for patients with cardiovascular issues.
What are the benefits of STEP?
STEP technology has completely changed the way we manage sleep apnea and other sleep conditions. This technology offers so many benefits for both patients and their healthcare providers. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using STEP technology for your sleep treatment if you aren’t already.
1. You can catch potential issues early on.
Finding the right treatment for your sleep issues can be very tricky, especially when you are first diagnosed. Because you aren’t conscious while symptoms are happening, it can be very difficult to identify potential problems and make adjustments to your treatment. A STEP system tracks important data points related to your sleep and sends them to your doctor, making it much easier to catch problems and make changes to your care.
2. STEP minimizes the need for in-person visits.
STEP works hand-in-hand with other forms of telehealth to help you get the care you need regardless of where you are. This has become particularly important during the COVID-19 era as people have wanted to limit their exposure to others.
When combined with regular video appointments, STEP systems are a viable alternative to in-person visits. Doctors can assess the data available to them and make recommendations that you can adhere to at home, and the process can be done entirely over the internet.
This is beneficial for a few reasons. Many people today have very busy schedules, which means that they may not have time to see the doctor as often as they would like. Using STEP and other telehealth systems means that you are less likely to skip important appointments due to scheduling conflicts. This helps doctors provide better care for you.
Virtual care also means you don’t have to spend time commuting to and from the doctor’s office. This is particularly helpful for people who live in rural areas and may not have access to a sleep doctor nearby.
Final Thoughts
If you struggle with sleep apnea or other conditions that interfere with your nighttime routine, our Sleep Therapy Effectiveness Program can help you get the care you need. Many CPAP devices now have tracking functions already installed, so it’s easy to send sleep data to your doctor over the internet. STEP can help you enjoy the full benefits of your sleep treatment and get healthier, more beneficial rest.
Take the next STEP to improve your quality of sleep and health!
Give us a call at 505.998.7200 or enroll in STEP now!