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Prime Inc. Makes Identifying Sleep-Related Disorders Top Priority

Written by: David Castillo on February 8th, 2010

Prime Inc. Makes Identifying Sleep-Related Disorders Top Priority | read this item

[TruckNet press release] — Health care concerns are a hot topic in the news today but professional drivers face special challenges every day where health risks are concerned – a challenge that carrier Prime Inc. is answering.

“Over-the-road long haul drivers are engaged in a sedentary lifestyle and must deal with eating on the road, fragmented sleep schedules, stress, and possibly tobacco use,” said Don Lacy, Prime’s director of safety. “Because of those factors, drivers tend to be at higher risk for health problems, fatigue and sleep disorders.”

The most common sleep issue identified in drivers is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). If left untreated, sleep apnea can exacerbate other health issues such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. “While professional drivers are required to be physically examined every two years, a large number of them do not have a primary care physician,” Lacy said. “That is an issue we really wanted to address at Prime.”

Prime Inc., headquartered in Springfield, Mo., is one of only a few carriers to voluntarily screen and offer treatment to drivers at risk or diagnosed with sleep disorders. The company is the only carrier to provide hospital quality testing and treatment where it is most convenient for drivers: the company’s expansive, comfortable headquarters.

Prime is working with Sleep Pointe LLC, providers of the most comprehensive sleep apnea management program for the transportation industry, to ensure the company addresses sleep disorders and concerns as well as the risk factors that lead to them.

“Prime has taken the initiative to address these issues in a very decisive way,” said John Hancock, of Prime. “Obviously safety is our primary concern, but driver health goes hand-in-hand with that so by addressing the driver health issues that adversely effect sleep, we improve both. What makes our program unique is that we do it on-site where we can get drivers tested, treated and back on the job.” (4 things, screen, diagnose, treat and compliance monitoring)

Prime Inc. provides clinical health services on site, a wellness program and the sleep disorders program, which uses the standards set by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

To begin evaluating a driver, Prime conducts a sleep study, or polysomnogram, at the company’s on-site hotel. This is a diagnostic sleep study that measures the quality of the person’s sleep by monitoring breathing and heartbeat. A typical sleep study records brain waves, eye movement, chin muscle tone, leg movements, and oxygen level. Depending on the results of this all-night study, the driver may have other daytime tests that measure wakefulness, the ability to fall asleep and other factors.

“These evaluations and the ensuing treatments have literally changed people’s lives,” said Lacy. “I’ve had drivers tell me they can not believe how good they feel after getting treatment and, finally, truly restful sleep. Spouses of drivers have told me they are amazed at the improvement in their husband or wife. The results are obviously extremely beneficial.”

According to Lacy, the sleep studies have enabled drivers to identify and seek treatment for other prevalent conditions in the industry including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiac issues, respiratory compromises and others.

Prime’s focus on making sure drivers get the rest they need to perform their jobs safely has been well worth the company’s investment in developing the sleep study program. “The impact this issue has on safety for the public is immense,” said Hancock. “Who knows how many lives Prime is able to save by helping our driving associates stay rested and alert? You can not measure the value of saving a life and we feel that this program, in a very real sense, enables us to do that.”

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