Polysomnographic Technology Program
Curriculum

Students will be required to successfully complete four Respiratory Care Program courses for college credit and eight non-credit instruction sections.

Respiratory Care Program Courses

Cardiopulmonary Physiology (HAT 304)                                  4 credits                    
Patient Evaluation (HAT 306)                                                   2 credits
Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment I (HAT 320)             2 credits
Polysomnography Technology I (HAT 470)                              2 credits

Non-credit instruction sections:
 
Instrumentation in Polysomnography
Introduction to Pharmacology
Basic Respiratory Care Techniques
Seminar Readings in Polysomnographic Technology 1
Seminar Readings in Polysomnographic Technology 2
Advanced Polysomnography
Polysomnographic Technology Internship 1
Polysomnographic Technology Internship 2  

Course Descriptions for Credit Bearing Courses

Modules 1 & 2

Cardiopulmonary Physiology (HAT 304)

Presents a detailed study of the physiology of human respiration and circulation. Topics include functional cardiopulmonary anatomy, embryology, ventilation, diffusion, blood flow, gas transport, acid-base states, mechanics and regulation of ventilation, and basic cardiac function.    
Lecture, 4 credits

Polysomnographic Technology I (HAT 470)

Designed to provide entry-level personal with both didactic and laboratory training in polysomnographic technology. Presents medical terminology, instrumentation set-up and calibration, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues and patient-technologist interactions. Lab
sessions will provide practical experience in the skills required of an entry-level polysomnographic technologist. 
Lecture and laboratory, 2 credits

Modules 3 & 4

Patient Evaluation (HAT 306)

Provides concept of data base, historical information, medical terminology, chief complaint and present illness, chest physical examination, and the formulation of a problem list. The course applies problem based learning to the study of clinical assessment skills.           
Lecture and laboratory, 2 credits

Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Treatment I (HAT 320)

Provides the basic technical and interpretive skills required to execute and read an electrocardiogram. Covers basic electrophysiology and presents the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias, as well as common cardiovascular pathologies, including congenital heart disease. The laboratory component includes EKG's, Holter monitoring, and stress testing.
Lecture and laboratory, 2 credits

Course Descriptions for Non-Credit Bearing Sections

Modules 1 & 2
 
Instrumentation in Polysomnography

Explores principles of biophysics, mechanics, electronics, and electrical theory related to the application of equipment used in polysomnography. Includes a comprehensive discussion of quality assurance, equipment maintenance, diagnostic analysis, trouble shooting of equipment, infection control and sterilization techniques, positive airway pressure and oxygen therapy.         
3 hours/week for 10 weeks (30 contact hours), Lecture and Laboratory

Introduction to Pharmacology

Includes the basic principles of drug actions and covers clinical applications of medications commonly seen in the fields of polysomnography and respiratory care. Provides a working knowledge base of drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and side effects.
3 hours/week for 10 weeks (30 contact hours), Lecture

Basic Respiratory Care Techniques
Introduces the basic therapeutic modalities of respiratory care.  Major topics include: medical gas therapy, humidification, PAP therapy, and low flow oxygen devices. Emphasis is also placed on the application of techniques concerning infection control for equipment commonly seen in the sleep center.  
3 hours/week for 10 weeks (30 contact hours), Lecture

Modules 3 & 4

Advanced Polysomnography
Provides training in advanced aspects of polysomnographic technology including in depth discussions of sleep disorders with special emphasis on pathophysiology and the interaction between cardiac and respiratory disease. This course covers the skills and knowledge needed to obtain and evaluate high quality sleep recordings, including: all the aspects of sleep scoring and event recognition, professional issues, therapeutic interventions, and patient-technologist interactions.            
5 hours/week for 10 weeks (50 contact hours), Lecture and Laboratory

Seminar Readings in Polysomnographic Technology 1
A journal club offering that is designed to assist the student in the development of a professional knowledge base. Each student is expected to review and critically analyze current research publications in the field of polysomnographic technology and report those findings to the faculty and their peers in an informal discussion meeting.
2 hours/week for 5 weeks (10 contact hours), Lecture

Seminar Readings in Polysomnographic Technology 2
A practical discussion and seminar course that prepares the student to take the national registry examination. Each student will take self assessment examinations that analyze their technical and clinical skills in the areas of data collection, interpretation, and decision making skills.          
2 hours/week for 5 weeks (10 contact hours), Lecture

Module 5

Polysomnographic Technology Internship 1

Provides clinical training in the basics of polysomnographic technology. Familiarizes students with instrumentation set-up, calibrations, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues, and patient-technologist interpretations related to polysomnographic technology. Provides patient contact in a sleep lab. Presents opportunity to observe, perform (under supervision), and evaluate sleep studies.          
40 hours/week for 5 weeks (200 contact hours), Clinical

Module 6

Polysomnographic Technology Internship 2

Provides clinical training in advanced aspects of polysomnographic technology. Familiarizes students with practical aspects of therapeutic interventions, sleep scoring, equipment troubleshooting, and artifact recognition.
40 hours/week for 5 weeks (200 contact hours), Clinical