RST Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the AASM-recommended low-frequency filter (high-pass filter) setting for EEG channels during polysomnography?
- 0.1 Hz
- 0.3 Hz (Correct answer)
- 1.0 Hz
- 5.0 Hz
Correct answer: 0.3 Hz
The AASM recommends a low-frequency filter of 0.3 Hz for EEG to preserve slow-wave activity while attenuating very low-frequency artifact.
Question 2: What does impedance checking primarily assess in the context of polysomnography quality assurance?
- Resistance at the skin-electrode interface (Correct answer)
- Electrical output of the polysomnograph amplifiers
- The patient's cardiac conduction resistance
- Integrity of the room's electrical grounding
Correct answer: Resistance at the skin-electrode interface
Impedance checking measures resistance at the skin-electrode contact; high impedance indicates poor contact that degrades signal quality and increases artifact.
Question 3: According to AASM accreditation standards, what is the minimum staffing requirement during attended polysomnography to ensure patient safety?
- One technologist per four patients in the laboratory
- At least one technologist must be present in the facility at all times (Correct answer)
- Two technologists must be on-site simultaneously at all times
- One dedicated technologist per occupied patient room
Correct answer: At least one technologist must be present in the facility at all times
AASM standards require at least one technologist to be present in the facility at all times during attended studies to ensure patient safety and data quality.
Question 4: Which element is a key component of a sleep laboratory's infection control program?
- Exclusive use of disposable electrodes for every patient
- Requiring patients to shower immediately before electrode application
- Written protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable equipment (Correct answer)
- Maintaining room temperature below 65°F to inhibit bacterial growth
Correct answer: Written protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable equipment
Written, systematic protocols for equipment cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the foundation of a compliant infection control program.
Question 5: What is the minimum recommended digital sampling rate for EEG channels in polysomnography according to AASM technical specifications?
- 64 Hz
- 128 Hz
- 200 Hz (Correct answer)
- 500 Hz
Correct answer: 200 Hz
The AASM specifies a minimum sampling rate of 200 Hz for EEG to adequately capture the full clinically relevant frequency range per the Nyquist theorem.
Question 6: Which quality metric should a sleep laboratory's QA program routinely evaluate?
- Inter-rater scoring agreement between technologists and interpreting physicians (Correct answer)
- Number of patients who achieve sleep onset within 5 minutes of lights-out
- Monthly revenue generated per study type
- Percentage of studies using disposable versus reusable electrodes
Correct answer: Inter-rater scoring agreement between technologists and interpreting physicians
Inter-rater scoring agreement is a core quality metric ensuring that study interpretation is consistent, accurate, and meets AASM standards.
Question 7: Following a polysomnographic study, which of the following must be documented in the patient record to meet quality and regulatory standards?
- Scored sleep data only, to keep records concise
- Study start and end times, equipment used, technical issues encountered, and all interventions performed (Correct answer)
- The technologist's subjective assessment of the patient's sleep quality
- Only information directly relevant to insurance reimbursement
Correct answer: Study start and end times, equipment used, technical issues encountered, and all interventions performed
Complete documentation including study times, equipment, technical problems, and all interventions is required for medical record integrity, continuity of care, and regulatory compliance.
RST Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance 2
What is the AASM-recommended low-frequency filter (high-pass filter) setting for EEG channels during polysomnography?