KCH cuts ribbon on Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2024) — Representatives from Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH) and Tempur Sealy cut the ribbon on the Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center, a clinic dedicated to young patients with sleep disorders and underlying health conditions. The new center was made possible by a $2 million gift from Tempur Sealy Foundation.
“We’re honored to partner with Kentucky Children’s Hospital in opening the Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center,” said Scott L. Thompson, president, and CEO of Tempur Sealy. “Sleep is not just a necessity; it's a fundamental pillar of health and well-being. This sleep center will revolutionize the way people understand and address childhood sleep disorders and will provide a much needed and accessible resource for Kentucky children and families. The mission of Tempur Sealy is to provide better sleep for more people all around the world. The Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center is a significant milestone in our commitment to empowering individuals to achieve improved health and well-being through restorative and rejuvenating sleep.”
About 25% of the general pediatric population has a sleep disorder, and children with issues such as neurologic and pulmonary disease are even more susceptible. Children with sleep disorders do poorly in school and are more likely to have behavioral problems. Those with obesity are at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke as adults. Studies of adolescents found that inadequate sleep is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, suicide ideation and attempted suicide.
“Sleep quality affects plays a significant role in a child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being and the downstream effects of sustained sleep deficits are reversible if caught early,” said Scottie B. Day, M.D., physician-in-chief for KCH. “Children aren’t just little adults; they have unique and complicated medical needs, and they need a space designed with their needs in mind. A well-rested child is happier, healthier child and has a reduced risk of developing severe health problems as an adult.”
Demand for pediatric sleep centers is at an all-time high; there are only three sleep centers in Kentucky that accept pediatric patients. It is estimated that almost 50,000 children in Kentucky would qualify for a sleep study at some point in their childhood. Three out of four children with ADHD, 83% of children with autism, and as many as 80% of children with seizure disorders have disordered sleep. Additionally, 30% of children with obesity are diagnosed with sleep apnea and nearly half of children diagnosed with cardiomyopathy have sleep-disordered breathing.
The current UK HealthCare Sleep Center at Good Samaritan Hospital is used by both adult and pediatric patients. The wait time for a sleep study is eight weeks, and patients under the age of 18 months and patients with complex health needs such as Down syndrome and heart defects cannot be treated. The new clinic can accommodate children of any age with or without complex medical needs.
Operating six nights a week, the Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center boasts child-friendly décor to relieve anxiety so children can rest comfortably. Providers trained specifically in the practice of pediatric sleep medicine use sophisticated technology to monitor the patient’s quality of sleep and diagnose and treat conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and sleep disturbances including sleepwalking, night terrors, nightmares and bedwetting. By day, providers will see patients in the clinic for evaluation and treatment.
Other features of the center include:
- Four patient care rooms with private bathrooms
- Recliners for parents or caregivers who want to stay with their child
- Control room with video and audio monitoring
- Proximity to pediatric rapid response services in the event of an emergency
In addition to the monetary support for the center and staff, Tempur Sealy will gift the Center 30 teddy bears a month to be given to patients who may need additional comfort during their stay.
If you believe your child would benefit from a sleep study, contact their pediatrician for a referral.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.