HOUSTON–(BUSINESS
WIRE)–Precision Pulmonary Diagnostics (PPD®) recently added portable
monitor testing to its diagnostic offerings of sleep apnea in commercial
drivers. PPD is an industry leader, providing turn-key sleep apnea disease
management program and lab network.
“Commercial carriers are looking for alternatives to in-lab
overnight sleep testing for their drivers,” said Dr. Mark Berger, president and
chief medical officer for PPD. “Using secure, identity-confirming
chain-of-custody technology, PPDs providing of ambulatory sleep testing offers
carriers potential savings while having the ability to test their drivers in
almost any location: in the cab, at home, or at the terminal.”
Drivers can now be tested in their trucks or their homes
while getting the same quality of medical service both drivers and employers
are accustomed to.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA), sleep apnea affects 28 percent of all commercial drivers, or about 1.8
million.
PPDs mission is to provide comprehensive, cost effective,
quality management of sleep apnea-related issues prevalent in the commercial
driver/operator population. By enhancing professional driver/operator safety
and health, PPD aims to help employers improve the bottom line and create
greater safety for the general public.
PPDs program to detect and treat sleep apnea in commercial
drivers is one of the industrys most comprehensive programs. PPD has the
ability — in just days — to screen an entire fleet for drivers at risk. Then
it is able to test, treat and provide critical coaching and compliance
monitoring for drivers once treatment is initiated.
“PPD is dedicated to helping the commercial driver and their
employers find solutions to the health and safety concern inherent in untreated
sleep apnea,” said Wendy Sullivan, RN, Vice President of Project Implementation
and Health and Safety Consultative Services for PPD. “Portable Monitors when
added to a national network of labs dedicated to commercial drivers enhances
the PPD experience for carriers and drivers alike.”