New Ypsilanti sleep center to offer flat-screen TVs, bathrobes, Internet access
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Jones, who also founded ITD Physical Therapy Clinic in Southfield, said Tranquility Sleep Center would provide screening services for sleeping disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
The business, located at 5401 Whittaker Road, opened in late July. It's among about half a dozen testing centers in Washtenaw that are capitalizing on recent medical warnings about the lack of sleep and its impact on emotional and physical well being.
Jones, 31, an Ypsilanti Township resident and graduate of Eastern Michigan University, is the CEO and is working with his mother, Ella Jones, who serves as chief of operations. He said he invested about $150,000 in the new company, which occupies 2,500 square feet in a medical office center on Whittaker Road.
Among the features of the new sleep center are high thread-count sheets, private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet access and personal bathrobes. A typical stay begins at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and ends in the early morning.
Tranquility Sleep Center employs five "sleep technicians," two of them registered polysomnographic technologists and three certified polysomnographic technologists. Its medical directors are sleep doctors Ashok Gupta and Chandra Gera.
Since it opened a month ago, about 15 to 20 patients — some as young as 12 years old — have been referred to the center by their doctors for testing. Jones prides himself on a quick turnaround time for test results. He said it takes no more than 72 hours to deliver a full report and said there's no waiting list for appointments.
"Even smaller sleep centers are booked two to three weeks out," he said. "Wait lists are too long. Sleep problems can be life-threatening if not treated right away.''
Most insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the tests, Jones said, which range from $600 to $1,500 apiece.
Jones said the sleep center has space to add two additional bedrooms as demand increases.
Most patients referred to Tranquility have obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, cutting off oxygen to the sleeper. Patients typically have two tests — a baseline test, or diagnostic polysomnogram, and CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) titration.
Tranquility offers split-night polysomnograms (for more severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea), adaptive servo ventilation titration, multiple sleep latency tests, maintenance of wakefulness tests and positive airway pressure complete care program, which teaches patients how to use breathing equipment at home because they often don't when they leave a hospital setting, Jones said.
"Patient will come in, put on various masks to get comfortable with the machine, so when it's delivered they'll use it. We're trying to relieve side effects so patients will continue with therapy," he said.
Opening the Tranquility Sleep Center was a natural progression for an entrepreneur whose family has always been connected to the health care world. Jones' father retired as engineer at the heating-cooling plant at St. Joseph Mercy Health System, and Ella Jones has spent a career working in physicians' offices. Jones himself had a career in sales, the last job as a pharmaceutical rep. He said it wasn't nearly as fulfilling as meeting and helping people.
"I love watching people get better, seeing the look on people's faces when the doctor has an answer to their problems. I love what I do," Jones said.
Julie Edgar is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
John
Tue, Sep 20, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
I have a friend who tried to get a sleep test done through a huge local hospital because that is where her insurance sent her. She was having congestive heart failure and unable to get out of bed. She was on a 6 month waiting list. I guess if you choose the most affordable health plan, you are putting your own life at risk.....you pay less up front but you wait longer and can even pay with your own life. I don't see anything wrong with a business that wants to help people. Small family owned business compared to a huge empire, where do you think you will get more TLC ? Putting your own money on the line and opening up a business in this economy is commendable! Giving people who are unemployed jobs in Michigan is great! We need to support our family owned small businesses! Herding people through hospital beds like cattle is not patient care.
sig.melvin
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
And I would like to know how many homeless vetreans have sleepapena? good to know they finally get clean sheets!
Some Guy in 734
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6 p.m.
The first paragraph still contains a "habitual be". Any chance of translating it into standard English?
Some Guy in 734
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
Is there literally nobody reviewing these stories who is able to tell that is an error?
Tony Dearing
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
Thanks. That's been fixed.
Kathy O'Connell
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
Having had to have a sleep study myself, anytime you are not sleeping in your own bed it is uncomfortable. The mattress was TOO soft and I had worse back problems after the fact. Then once you do start snoring or moving they are whispering in your ear to roll over or lay still. Definitely not a restful atmosphere! And the rooms should be made sound proof.
washtenawdihard
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:43 p.m.
Whats wrong with great Patient Care in a Luxury Setting? I think we all deserve a little extra, this place offers a comfortable setting that is beneficial to the patient, what's wrong with that? Plus they offer fast results, sounds like a winner to me.
Ally
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
My Husband had to do a sleep study and was borderline for sleep apnea. He was never able to get into a normal sleep pattern because he was in a stale room in a hospital with all kinds of noises. Had he been able to do so in a room like this he may have tested positive for it and been able to get the equipment he needs. As of now insurance won't pay for it.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
A luxurious setting in which they be effectively monitored?
sig.melvin
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:32 p.m.
too bad on the same news page at the police raid!
porchbear
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
Embarrassing.
Some Guy in 734
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 6:35 p.m.
Seriously.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Yes. Part of the problem with soaring insurance costs is that anything and everything that could possibly be related to the medical problem is submitted as an expense. We need real health care reform. Businesses like these, set up to take advantage of a broken system, are parasitic and have no rightful foundation in the marketplace.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 12:58 a.m.
I do. But instead of marketing fancy hotel rooms with big televisions and luxury sheets, all paid for by insurance companies (which then pass along the costs to the rest of us) they should be advertising soundproofing and competent medical evaluations. A big part of the reason we're having a jobless recovery from the Bush/Obama recession is that medical costs are out of hand. Companies can not add staff when the cost of employing existing staff rises 10-20% every year.
Lovaduck
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
I don't think you realize the dangers of sleep apnea, etc. which need such places for testing.
LarryJ
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
You know there is too much money in medicine when they are advertising their business based on high thread-count sheets and flat screen TVs.
Monica R-W
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Good luck to these Business Owners!
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
The inclusion of flat screen TV's and internet service is puzzling to me. Good sleep hygiene dictates that patients do not watch television, or use the phone or internet before sleep. This is important in the treatment of children with Juvenile Arthritis. I would assume this would also apply for other disorders.
Marilyn Wilkie
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
My husband does have sleep apnea. He uses a cpap machine. I discovered his apnea when he would stop breathing completely for an extended period of time. I was worried that he had passed away the first time I noticed this. Both of his parents and his brother died from heart failure. Sleep disorders need to be taken very seriously.
Lovaduck
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
When I was tested they told me to do whatever I would usually do before going to sleep (even drink an alcoholic beverage, read, or watch TV--I did none of the above!) The idea is to test you under regular, not ideal, conditions.
Jean Schiller
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
I think the sleep centers try to simulate real life. When I did my sleep study at Henry Ford Hospital, I was allowed to watch TV, read, etc. at any time. In addition, you have to stay there for at least 24 hours and sleep during certain cycles -- during which time it would be nearly impossible to stay awake if you don't have some entertainment.
Elan
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
Good for you! I'm impressed and wish you the best!