Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when breathing pauses during sleep due to a blocked airway or because the brain is not sending the correct signals to the body to breathe. This pause, which is often signaled with a snort or a choking sound, disrupts the flow of oxygen to your heart, brain, and body. Most physicians know that sleep apnea is a major predictor of negative outcomes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) not only causes snoring, but it disrupts the flow of oxygen to the heart, brain, and body. Untreated chronic OSA leads to increased risk of heart failure, coronary incidents, as well as other potential negative outcomes, such as increased risk for stroke, diabetes, and depression. Despite the consequences of OSA, effectively treating sleep apnea has been a significant challenge for many physician practices. Typically, patients are referred to a sleep lab, or contract with a specialist to perform expensive sleep testing. The patient also faces significant hurdles, as they must find and schedule an appointment in an uncomfortable sleep lab, and then wait for specialist availability, or try to navigate the sometimes confusing medical device industry to find a supplier who their insurance is willing to work with to provide reimbursement for part of the costs of treatment. The entire process can take months to complete, and cost thousands of dollars. Many patients give up or quit before relief is provided.

Today, TomorrowMed is empowering physicians by coordinating the resources they need for the effective treatment of patients suffering from OSA. The process beings with a remotely administered test (called a STOP-BANG test.) If the test indicates the probable presence of sleep apnea, a Home Sleep Test (HST) is ordered for the patient, eliminating the need for overnight stays in a sleep lab. TomorrowMed coordinates the transmission of the HST results to a participating Board Certified Sleep Physician, who interprets the test, and consults with the physician regarding treatment.

If a CPAP or other device is recommended, the patient's care can be coordinated through the TomorrowMed App. The TomorrowMed App can facilitate remote encounters, setup and calibration of the device, and remote troubleshooting. Once therapy is underway, TomorrowMed's platform remotely monitors the device, assists the patient with ordering refills or supplies necessary for their particular device, and provides the treating physician with real-time data to effectively counsel the patient and coordinate treatment. The end result for the patient is a coordinated approach to care, which is easy, convenient, and cost-effective.