ARMC's Sleep Center Achieves Accreditation

10/27/2010

Athens, Tenn. -  The Athens Regional Sleep Diagnostic Center has received notification that it has been approved for accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The AASM is the only professional society that is dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine, setting standards for excellence in health care, education, and research.

Athens Regional CEO, John Workman, said, "Tammy Muth, Sleep Center director, and her staff worked hard to complete the processes required by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for this achievement.  The accreditation is a testament to the excellent work they have provided over the last 13 years, and ensures the public that the Sleep Center is providing the highest quality of patient care and is dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine."

The Center started out in 1997 as a new service housed in two rooms within the hospital.  It is now a beautiful large facility with a cozy environment located in the Medical Mall.  Tammy Muth, who is a registered respiratory therapist and registered polysomnographic technologist with advanced degrees in Health Management, has been the Center's Director, and Dr. Wallace Burroughs its Sleep Physician since its 1997 beginnings.

Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest and most often undiagnosed medical problems facing many people, so it is not surprising that the number of patients served by the facility grew rapidly.   Dr. David Guan, board certified in Internal, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, joined the Center as its Medical Director in 2007 to accommodate the increased number of patients needing sleep services.

To Muth, serving people with sleep disorders and promoting awareness of sleep deprivation and its affects, is more than just a job, it is a mission.  "Sleep absolutely affects quality of life issues.  There are more than 300 diagnoses related to sleep.  Finding the right diagnosis and correcting the problem is a life changer."

The accreditation is effective immediately and is granted for a period of five years.