!: American Sleep Academy - What Does it Mean to You? | Cloud b Sleep Sheep - Four Soothing Sounds From Nature by Cloud b

!: American Sleep Academy - What Does it Mean to You?

Like any other ailment, insomnia is a health issue that sufferers want taken care of by competent and experienced doctors. Luckily, there is already an association whose goal is to make sure insomniacs and other sleep disorder victims get the quality care they deserve.

The American Sleep Academy, or the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, has become a prominent fixture in the world of sleep science. According to their website, it was first established in 1975 as the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers. Since then, it has developed into the largest society of clinicians, researchers and health care providers in the field of sleep medicine, and now has over 7,000 members.

The main function of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is accreditation. Sleep centers across the United States seek accreditation from the AASM, as many help seekers know that this is something to look for in a sleep center. These can be part of a hospital or academic institution, or be independently or physician owned. Either way they are eligible for AASM accreditation.

For the sleep center, earning AASM accreditation isn't easy. First, they must apply for five year accreditation, at which time a sleep specialist is sent out to inspect the center. This specialist investigates personnel and services and submits a report to the accreditation committee, said the AASM website. This process can take up to four to six months.

Also, new sleep centers can apply for provisional accreditation. In this process, centers and labs have six months to build a good history of customer service and care, after which they become eligible for full accreditation.

Another function of AASM involves insurance companies. They encourage health insurance providers such as Medicare to recognize the difference between accredited sleep centers and non-accredited ones. As a result, some insurance companies only cover costs incurred at AASM accredited centers and labs.

AASM accredited its first sleep center in 1977, and has now accredited more than 1,500 centers and labs in the United States.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine also has an educational function, including webinars and classes. Also, it does a large amount of research and publishes the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

If you are having sleep problems and in search of a high quality sleep center, AASM accreditation is an important thing to look for.