Dallas County Hospital in Perry is expanding its work on studying sleep apnea disorder, and they recently got some help from a local source.

Raccoon Valley Bank awarded the hospital a $2,600 grant, which will allow DCH to acquire another kit for home sleep testing. The hospital has partnered with SomniTech to provide in-lab and in-home sleep studies for the community. After training with a healthcare provider, patients can take a portable sleep diagnostic device home for a self-administered sleep test. Thanks to the grant, DCH will now have an additional kit. Hospital representatives believe the home testing can save the patient or the patient’s insurance company money, as the home tests are considerably less expensive than the in-lab sleep tests.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates more than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, which can cause serious complications, including death. Anyone interested in utilizing the in-home sleep testing devices is encouraged to talk to their physician.