BMC Sleep Disorders Center Achieves National Accreditation
PITTSFIELD, Mass – The Sleep Disorders Center at Berkshire Medical Center recently achieved accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The Sleep Disorders Center, based at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC, was granted a five-year accreditation, which, according to the AASM, is awarded to programs that “meet or exceed all standards for professional healthcare.”“The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the Berkshire Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center on fulfilling the high standards required for receiving accreditation as a sleep disorders center,” said Dr. Mary Susan Ethier, AASM president. “The Center is a significant resource to the local medical community and will provide academic and scientific value in addition to the highest quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders.”
The BMC Sleep Disorders Center is led by Jack Ringler, MD, and Simon Peimer, PhD, and provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders, including:
* Sleep Apnea and Heavy Snoring
* Narcolepsy and Excessive Sleepiness
* Periodic Limb Movements and Restless Leg Syndrome
* Sleep-Wake Cycle Disturbances and Different Types of Insomnia
* Night Terrors, Nightmares, Sleepwalking and Sleep Eating
“This achievement is a direct result of the hard work that Simon, the technicians and all of our staff at the Sleep Disorders Center perform each and every day, helping our patients to overcome difficulties that can prevent them from the sleep they need,” said Dr. Ringler. “The high marks that the Center received in this process indicate their commitment to quality patient care.”
The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center’s facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts and physician training. Additionally, the facility’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional medical society for clinicians, researchers and other healthcare providers in the field of sleep medicine. As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers and labs, the AASM is dedicated to setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine care, education and research.
