Department of Neurology

Instructions for the Vanderbilt Sleep Lab

The phone number is 343-5888.

We are located at the Vanderbilt Marriott on the 5th floor. The Vanderbilt Marriott is located on 2555 West End Avenue across from Centennial Park and adjacent to the Vanderbilt stadium (Dudley Field). If you are scheduled for the Marriott, please arrive at 7:30 PM so your staff will have time to prepare you appropriately for your testing. Do not valet park for this appointment. Please park in the Marriott parking garage which is behind the hotel. Bring your parking ticket in with you, and we will have it validated for you.

Your sleep testing slot has been specially reserved for you. For the courtesy of all of our patients, If you must cancel, please call us 48 hours in advance of your appointment so we can make your slot available to another patient. Patients who cancel more than once must get a new referral from their physician.

Children under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian stay with them for the entire test. The parent or guardian will be provided a cot to sleep on in the room with the patient.

You should eat dinner prior to arriving at the sleep lab. This is an outpatient facility so no meals are provided. You can however, bring a small snack and drinks (no caffeine, alcohol) with you.

Please bring something comfortable to sleep in such as, t-shirt and shorts, PJ’s or night gown. For our female patients please remove acrylic nails (one from index finger will be fine). This is so we can read your oxygen levels accurately.

We will be placing several sensors on your body. Please have your hair clean and no hair care products. If you wear makeup, you will be asked to remove it prior to getting sensors placed. Please write down all medications you take. Any nighttime meds you take bring them with you. We do not supply any medications.

Please take all of your usual medications unless your doctor tells you to do something differently.

You will be able to take a shower in the morning after your sleep study.

There are also televisions in the room for you to watch before your study begins. You will be able to relax but not go to sleep until it is your bedtime. Please feel free to ask your technologist any questions you may have.

For those of you who need help with your care (assistance in walking, bathing, etc.) please make sure someone is with you who can assist you as our techs are unable to provide one-on-one assistance.

Please call us with any questions you may have. We will contact you a few days before your study to confirm your appointment.