Driscoll Children’s Hospital Pediatric Sleep Center

This full-service, exclusively pediatric sleep center is here to deliver complete care for all
pediatric sleep disorders.

About the Sleep Center

Our Sleep Center is located in Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi. Patients can be
treated in person or via In-Touch, our telehealth platform used in satellite clinics.

How it Works

Your sleep doctor will perform a clinical evaluation and develop a sleep care plan for your child based on the concerns of the parents/caregivers and the primary care provider. The sleep care plan can include diagnostic testing such as a sleep study, strategic behavioral changes, referral to various specialties such as ENT and clinical follow-ups.

Conditions Managed

We manage all pediatric sleep disorders. In addition, we can help caregivers recognize when a
child’s particular sleep can be considered developmentally appropriate or a variant of normal,
and when further evaluation is needed.

Conditions we manage include:

Sleep disordered breathing

Obstructive sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Excessive movement disorders

Restless leg syndrome
Periodic limb movement disorder

Parasomnias

Sleep walking
Night terrors

Excessive daytime sleepiness due to

Narcolepsy
Insufficient sleep
Insomnia
Sleep-wake schedule disturbances

Special Sleep Clinic Services

CPAP Clinic Non-Invasive Ventilation is the cornerstone of non-surgical therapy for patients with Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. In the Driscoll Pediatric Sleep Center, we manage patients’ therapies including CPAP, BiPAP, BiPAP-ST, AVAPS, low-flow Oxygen and Heated High Flow Nasal Cannula.

Mask fitting: a. Our experienced sleep techs work with the patient to find the right mask and size and ensure adequate fit and patient comfort. b. This has greatly improved the patients’ tolerance of CPAP during the ‘CPAP Titration’ studies. c. We revisit the patient’s fit and comfort with their mask at each subsequent CPAP clinic visit.
CPAP desensitization: a. Our sleep tech places the patient on a CPAP machine and tries various CPAP levels to assess patient tolerance of the pressure. b. The sleep tech works with the patient on strategies to improve tolerance of pressures. c. If needed, a gradual desensitization plan for the home is established with the patient with adequate follow-up.
CPAP Download review: a. Review of usage date from the patient’s CPAP device. b. This can help identify when a repeat titration study is needed or if the device settings need to be changed.
Patient’s equipment care and maintenance: a. Our sleep tech briefly inspects the patient’s device for obvious faults and ensures our recommended settings are correctly programmed by the patient’s DME company. b. Our tech reviews device, mask and tubing maintenance care and cleaning with the patient.

Successful CPAP therapy requires:

The right mode of therapy (CPAP vs BiPAP, etc.) and the right pressures.
The right interface (pillows vs nasal vs full face masks), right model and right size.
Patient comfort, understanding, adherence and response to therapy.
Ongoing follow-up.

In the CPAP clinic, we strive to identify and overcome potential barriers to excellent CPAP adherence. Coordinated Sleep Evaluation (CSE) The evaluation and management of significant sleep-disordered breathing (Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea) often requires a combination of sleep clinic evaluation and sleep lab testing (diagnostic sleep study). Patients who ultimately will require the use of CPAP also need another sleep study (PAP Titration study) as well as possibly mask fitting and CPAP desensitization in the clinic. For patients who need to travel to Corpus Christi, particularly from the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo areas, the multiple trips needed may prevent them from accessing adequate evaluation and management of their breathing problems in sleep. Keeping with Driscoll’s mission of delivering exceptional pediatric healthcare to the children of South Texas, the Driscoll Pediatric Sleep Center is happy to offer Coordinated Sleep Evaluations(CSE) to minimize travel to Corpus and expedite diagnosis and access to CPAP when indicated. Overview A CSE is a 2-day and 1-or 2-night evaluation exclusively for OBSTRUCTIVE and CENTRALSLEEPAPNEA, consisting of:

Day 1

Initial Sleep Clinic consult evaluation
Diagnostic sleep study that same night (Night 1)

Day 2

Clinic follow-up to review results of the diagnostic sleep study
Mask fitting and CPAP desensitization–if indicated
CPAP/BiPAP titration sleep study–if indicated (Night 2)

How it Works Your PCP sends us the necessary paperwork to refer you for a CSE at the Driscoll Pediatric Center. We then:

Review the chart and determine what testing is needed.
Obtain the necessary prior authorization from your insurance carrier.
Complete the coordinated scheduling of your sleep visits and sleep studies.
Let your PCP know if you are interested in being referred to the Driscoll Pediatric Sleep Center for a Coordinated Sleep Evaluation.

CSE Referral Form

Sleep Study

Sleep Study: What to expect

A sleep study, also known as a Polysomnography, involves monitoring the sleep of your child to
evaluate for various sleep disorders. While there are a lot of wires involved, as well as a lot of
sticky pads, the procedure is painless.

The setup for the sleep study includes:

EEG leads to monitoring brain waves during sleep
Sensors on the nose to monitor airflow
ECG sticky pads to monitor the heart rhythm
Stretchy belts for breathing movements
Sticky pads for muscle tone
Oxygen and CO2 sensors
Video recording for parasomnias, seizures and safety

Getting to Your Sleep Study
A sleep study is an overnight test. A caregiver will have to stay with the patient for the duration of the study.

Please arrive at the lobby of Driscoll Children’s Hospital at 3533 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi at the time specified in your appointment (between 7:30–8 p.m.) This is known as the Emergency Room entrance. Please let the Welcome Center know that you are here for your sleep study. The sleep tech will then meet you and your child and escort you to our Sleep Center on the 8th floor.
Study usually ends in the early morning, around 5:30–6 a.m.
While COVID precautions remain in effect, a COVID test needs to be done prior to the study. When scheduling the sleep study, you will be guided as to when and where you can obtain COVID testing.
If you need to reschedule your sleep study, please call (361) 694-4679 or (361) 694-4447 as soon as you can.
If you do not show up to your sleep study appointment without informing the Sleep Center, you will be required to return to the Sleep Center before another sleep study can be scheduled.

How to prepare for a Sleep Study

Your child should wear comfortable, loose, two-piece pajamas.
If your child has a particular pillow they always sleep on, consider bringing it with you.
Setup takes approximately one hour. The study will run until about 6 a.m. the next morning.
The caregiver is encouraged to bring a full set of sleepwear as well, as they will also spend the night.
Please bring diapers and all personal care items as needed.
Plan on having dinner prior to arrival, as we do not provide dinner. A small snack such as crackers may be arranged if needed.
For patients who require milk or formula at night, please make sure to bring it with you.

Sleep Facts and Useful Tips

Day 1

Learn More

Healthy Sleep Habits for Your Child

Night Terrors

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

How to Refer

For Sleep Clinic Referrals

Fax referral to: 361-694-6955
Participating providers can also place sleep referrals in the Driscoll Health Plan Portal.

For Providers Referring Traveling Patients to Schedule a CSE

Fax CSE referral form to: 361-808-2789
To download the CSE referral form

Our Registered Polysomnographic Technologist

Dmytro Blinov, PA,
RPSGT

Pediatric Sleep Medicine

Ghassan Tannous,
RPSGT

Sleep Lab Manager

Tahiri Castillo, CMA

Polysomnography
Technologist

Deborah Monroe,
RPSGT

Polysomnography
Technologist

Sabrina Barrera,
RPSGT

Polysomnography
Technologist

Rebecca Leal,
RPSGT

Polysomnography
Technologist

MaryJane Lopez,
CRT, SDS

Polysomnography
Technologist

Doctors

Locations

Refer a Patient

Seamless Specialist Care

Visit all your child's specialists in one trip to Driscoll Children's Hospital.

Contact any of our specialty clinics to schedule a convenient one-day visit to all your child’s specialists.

Call 361-694-5000 or your
specialty clinic.