The South Eastern Trust has become the first Trust in Northern Ireland to introduce AcuPebble, an innovative medical device that helps diagnose Sleep Apnoea in patients.
Previously, the Trust was able to undertake around 25 sleep studies each week. Since introducing AcuPebble, this has more than doubled to 55 diagnostic studies every week, significantly reducing waiting lists and speeding up access to treatment.
Sleep Apnoea is a serious condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. If left undiagnosed or untreated, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. Early and accurate diagnosis is therefore vital to ensure patients receive the right treatment and support.
The AcuPebble device offers a simple, non-invasive way for patients to be assessed in the comfort of their own homes. Worn on the neck, the small sensor records and analyses physiological signals during sleep, while a finger probe measures heart rate and oxygen levels. The device listens to the airway and associates changes with any oxygen desaturations and heart rate accelerations.
Patients collect the device from the Respiratory Physiology Team in the Ulster Hospital and wear it overnight before returning it the following day. A mobile phone provided with the AcuPebble guides patients step-by-step in using the device. The analysis is carried out automatically, with results available almost instantly. The AcuPebble is the first recommendation in the NICE guidelines for Home Sleep Testing.
Unlike traditional sleep studies, which required multiple appointments and involved wearing numerous wires, belts and a nasal cannula, AcuPebble makes the process much more straightforward. Patients can receive a specific diagnosis after just one visit, while Consultants receive reports almost instantly. Where treatment such as a CPAP machine is required, patients are placed on the waiting list without delay, making their treatment journey much faster.
South Eastern Trust Chief Respiratory Physiologist, Gemma Moss, highlighted the benefits of the new technology and said, “Patient feedback has been excellent. The device is simple to use compared to the traditional method, which involved many wires and belts around the body as well as a nasal cannula. This was very uncomfortable for patients to sleep with. AcuPebble makes the whole process easier, more accurate and much quicker. We have been able to increase the amount of diagnostic studies we undertake, which means reduced waiting lists, faster diagnoses and earlier treatment for our patients.”
