What Is Accreditation

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers accreditation as a demonstration that a sleep center or sleep-related breathing laboratory has met all standards set by the AASM such as employing skilled and qualified staff, creating a clean and comfortable environment, developing a quality assurance plan, and adhering to evidence-based practice parameters.

These standards for accreditation and the guidelines incorporated in them are developed by sleep specialists whose knowledge and expertise enable them to tailor the requirements for the unique evaluation of sleep disorders patients.

An accredited sleep disorders program is a significant resource to the medical community and to the public. Accreditation by the AASM assures quality patient care through comprehensive clinical evaluation and treatment, which is the primary concern of your patients and the public. Additionally, AASM accreditation is the gold standard by which other organizations and companies evaluate sleep programs. This is reflected in the fact that in many states third party payers require, for reimbursement, that sleep studies be conducted at an AASM-accredited facility.

• sleep disorders center -- a medical facility providing clinical diagnostic services and treatment for patients who present with symptoms or features that suggest the presence of any sleep disorder.
• laboratory -- provides diagnostic and treatment services limited to sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.