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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > October 3, 2008
Company to monitor truckers' sleep disorders
Published October 3, 2008 - BizTimes Daily
The Sleep Wellness Institute Inc., the state's largest sleep disorders diagnosis and treatment center, has signed an agreement with Precision Pulmonary Diagnostics (PPD) of Houston, Texas, to provide sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment to over-the-road truckers employed by Schneider Trucking Company of Green Bay.
Sleep centers aligned with PPD provide services across the nation to various trucking companies. The Sleep Wellness Institute will be the exclusive provider in Wisconsin for Schneider drivers.
"Over-the-road trucking has long been thought to be an area of great concern, said Ron Baake, chief executive officer of the Sleep Wellness Institute, which is based in West Allis. "Since drowsy drivers are every bit as common as drunk drivers, the trucker who is hauling a huge rig and is affected by sleep apnea is a major risk."
Schneider began working with PPD both to find ways to cut healthcare costs and to promote safety.
PPD provides professional screening for drivers who are at risk for sleep apnea using a HIPPA-compliant, online tool customized to the individual trucking company's requirements.
Drivers who require treatment will be fitted for and provided with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, flow generator and heated humidifier for nightly use.
Baake said that a wireless compliance monitoring system is used. It provides daily information of CPAP use, efficacy, and allows real-time troubleshooting of any problems drivers may be experiencing.
