Academic Catalogs

PSG A165: Polysomnography Clinical 1

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 03/08/2023
Top Code 121100 - Pharmacy Technician
Units 1.5 Total Units 
Hours 81 Total Hours (Other Hours 81)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

Clinical application of polysomnographic testing at an affiliated sleep disorder center to include patient interaction, application of testing equipment, and monitoring sleep behavior. COREQUISITE: PSG A150 and PSG A160. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Students will instruct patients on Home Sleep Apnea Testing, interpret and describe reports and histograms of Home Sleep Apnea Testing.

Course Objectives

  • I Objectives related to student behavior:
  • I. 1. Demonstrate a willingness to adhere to the individual lab policies and regulations.
  • I. 2. Adhere to appropriate dress code, being neat, well groomed, appropriate for clinical and adhering to Orange Coast College catalog policy for student conduct.
  • I. 3. Assume responsibility for notifying the department supervisor when unable to attend or when expected to be late.
  • I. 4. Make up any time due to absence for tardiness.
  • I. 5. Assume responsibility for arriving to clinical on time and must stay allotted time per the lab schedule.
  • I. 6. Conduct self in an appropriate ethical manner as a health care professional. Maintain patient confidentiality and safety at all times.
  • I. 7. Seek instruction and use criticism to improve performance.
  • I. 8. Demonstrate a positive attitude to the clinical experience.
  • I. 9. Relate to patients in a positive manner in encourage patient cooperation and enhance attitude.
  • I. 10. Maintain work area in an orderly manner.
  • II Objectives related to Clinical overview, education and patient support:
  • II. 1. Identify clinicians orders and testing indications
  • II. 2. Interpret Patient history and physical.
  • II. 3. List and describe sleep questionnaires, i.e. Epworth Sleepiness Scale, STOP-Bang.
  • II. 4. Recognize sleep disordered breathing and parasomnias.
  • II. 5. Describe sleep hygiene and the importance of therapy.
  • II. 6. Instruct patients on Home Sleep Apnea Testing.
  • II. 7. Interpret and describe reports and histograms of Home Sleep Apnea Testing.
  • II. 8. Define PAP therapy applications and mechanics.
  • II. 9. Recognize and list types of therapeutic interventions.

Lecture Content

Students will be expected to observe and to:   Perform patient intake and administer questionnaires. Educate patients on sleep hygiene and the importance of therapy. Home Sleep Apnea Testing set ups, downloads and report generation. PAP therapy applications and mechanics.

Lab Content

This is the first in a series of clinical rotations which will provide an opportunity to practice polysomnographic testing on patients at a designated affiliated sleep disorder center.  Students will be expected to observe and to:   Perform patient intake and administer questionnaires. Educate patietns on sleep hygiene and the importance of therapy. Home Sleep Apnea Testing set-ups, downloads and report generation. PAP Teraphy applications and mechanics. This clinic will require a minimum of six hours per week of clinical practice. The outcome for the clinical experience will prepare students for extended clinic rotations in the Spring semester.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Work Experience (20)
  • Non-Directed Clinical (NDR)

Instructional Techniques

The goals for this rotation are for the students to be able to: Hands-on practice of Home Sleep Apnea Testing device set ups.  This will provide increased hands-on time to enhance their proficiency, efficiency, and confidence with Home Sleep Testing. Downlaod data from Home Sleep Apnea Testing devices, create, and understand reports. Download, review and understand PAP therapy download reports.

Reading Assignments

½ - 1 hours per week Reading assignments from textbook.

Writing Assignments

Proficiency is demonstrated by evaluation of the stated objectives above.  Writing assignments are based on the clinical facility requirements and may include patient history taking, technical record evaluations, and technical and clinical notations on the Polysomnographic recording.

Out-of-class Assignments

½ - 1 hours per week Completing patient history and maintaining polysomnography records.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will be evaluated according to the objectives stated both mid-rotation and end rotation.  Mid-rotation evaluation is done in order to encourage students good performance, identify areas of improvement, and assess student progress. Polysomnographic 165 is a credit/no-credit course.  A grade of CR is required to pass.  A grade of NC will be issued for students who have not completed all required clinical hours* at the end of the rotation. Grades issued:  CR - Meets or surpasses all objectives  NC - Fails to meet objectives *Attendance: 1. It is the student responsibility to notify the department in a timely manner if unable to attend or expected to be late. 2. The student is required to arrive on time and stay the allotted time per the lab schedule.  Students are to treat the clinical experience like a job and take this area seriously.  In addition, any time lost due to absence or tardiness MUST be made up during that clinical rotation. 3. Each clinical shift is six hours, (i.e.,  if a student misses a day, they may not work additional hours the next time and make up the absence) but must instead schedule a separate make-up time.  Clinical will recognize designated school holidays 4. Students may be removed from a clinical site, which may result in failing clinical for the following:   - Excessive absences   - Excessive tardiness   - Endangering a patient   - Direct insubordination    - Inappropriate dress or behavior 5. If there is an extended period of absence due to circumstances outside student control (illness, hospitalization, crisis) details must be worked out with the clinical coordinator and the clinical site.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Proficiency is demonstrated by evaluation of the stated objectives above.  Writing assignments are based on the clinical facility requirements and may include patient history taking, technical record evaluations, and technical and clinical notations on the Polysomnographic recording.

Eligible Disciplines

Diagnostic medical technology-diagnostic medical sonography, neurodiagnosti...: Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Other Resources

1. Materials provided by instructor and those required by prerequisites and corequisites.