Riverview Hospital Sleep/Wake Disorders Center Hospital

Noblesville Community Leader                                     

Community Awareness, Patient Education, and
Exceptional Follow-up are just three reasons that the Riverview Hospital Sleep/Wake Disorders Center (SWDC) is a Community Leader in Noblesville, IN. Riverview Hospital is a 161-bed hospital located in Hamilton County, Indiana. Riverview Hospital has been recognized for being Hamilton County’s first accredited Heart and Vascular Center and for receiving the ITPC RISE Award for 2007.

The Sleep/Wake Disorders Center opened in 1996 as a two-bed center. The center was fully accredited last year by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The SWDC currently has 4 beds with future plans to expand. The center is actively involved in community awareness on a regular basis. Often you will find staff members at community events and health fairs providing information about Sleep Medicine. The SWDC staff also provides information at CVS Pharmacies’ Wellness Wednesday Health Programs. The Wellness Wednesdays are a joint partnership between Riverview Hospital and CVS pharmacies to offer free cardiovascular health screenings. The center also serves as a resource for community schools, businesses and other medical professionals seeking information regarding Sleep Disorders Medicine.

The SWDC has recently added pediatric sleep disorder treatment to its services. The center tries to mimic the home environment as much as possible. Bedding and décor for the pediatric rooms are designed to appeal to boys and girls, as well as younger and older children. The center treats children from 4years of age and up. Dr. Michael Levine, ABSM, Neurologist and Co-Medical Director of the SWDC states, “Families should treat the sleep study as a fun night. Parents stay in the same room with the child. They can wear matching pajamas: watch a movie or whatever they like”. The focus is not on making the child fall asleep, says Levine. “Rather we want to monitor the child to see what happens to the body whenever he/she falls asleep.” In addition to Dr. Levine the SWDC is also under the Co-Direction of Dr.Joseph Kern. Dr. Kern is an associate of Respiratory and Critical care Consultants. Dr. Kern is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine.

Verna Bowling, CRT, RPSGT is the Sleep Wake/Disorders CPAP Specialist. She is responsible for overseeing mask fittings and CPAP classes. The CPAP classes are offered monthly. Nancy Collettt, BS, CRT, Center Manages states, “Patients make an appointment to come in and be fitted. Verna works with each patient to ensure proper fit and comfort.”  Verna can usually get them comfortable enough they will eventually find a mask that works.” According to Collett, “The patients love Verna. We get many requests for her to set them up on CPAP. She gets the patients acclimated with their units and masks and does whatever it takes to get them compliant.” The center compliance rates have greatly improved since implementing the classes and Bowling’s mask fittings. Collett says, “Our lab compliance rate is about 90%. Patients are more compliant because they have a face to put with a name. If they know whom to come to for questions and concerns they are more apt to want to wear CPAP. Verna is here for them and they know that.”

Patient’s recognize the SWDC commitment to quality care and have traveled from as far away as Florida to have their testing conducted. Patient surveys are very positive and always commend the staff on attending to their needs and making them feel at home. Often patients don’t want to leave when their testing is completed. "The center’s staff of technologists, technicians and respiratory care practioners prides themselves on the individual attention that we give patients," stated Carla Ellsworth, CRT and sleep technician. The staff includes 4 technologists that are dual credentialed in both Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine.