SleepTech Talk

What exactly does a sleep technologist do? And how does someone build a career in the world of polysomnography?On this episode of SleepTech Talk, we sit down with Khem Ballaho, MBA, RPSGT, to talk about his personal journey into the sleep field—and his mission to make sleep technology easier for others to understand.Khem shares his journey from moving to the United States and beginning his career as a sleep technologist, to earning his MBA and taking on leadership responsibilities within a sleep department.We also explore the educational work he does through his YouTube channel and social media, where he helps introduce people to the world of sleep technology and gives those interested in the profession a better understanding of what a career in polysomnography can look like.In this episode, we discuss:• Khem’s journey from overseas to the United States• His experience as a sleep technologist and how his career evolved• Going from the sleep lab to earning an MBA and leading a department• What a career in polysomnography and sleep technology can look like• Why educating people about the profession is so important• How social media and YouTube can help introduce the next generation to sleep technology• Resources for people who are curious about becoming a sleep technologistWhether you're already working in sleep medicine, considering a career in polysomnography, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes in a sleep lab, this conversation offers an inside look at the people and technology that make sleep medicine possible.You can learn more about Khem here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@khemballahoRPSGTInstagram: @nightshiftacademyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khem-ballaho-2b02064a/A huge thanks to our sponsors:Fisher & Paykel Healthcare  Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosityhttps://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/Philips Healthcare   See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/React Health  https://www.reacthealth.com/More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine  https://sleepreviewmag.com/Credits:Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G MannikaroteHosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George MannikaroteCopyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk ProductionsEpisode 132The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.#SleepTechTalk #SleepTechnology #Polysomnography #SleepTechnologist #RPSGT #SleepMedicine #SleepTech

This episode breaks down the upcoming sleep testing code changes and why they matter for sleep labs, physicians, technologists, vendors, and health systems. The STT Crew discuss how the new structure changes home testing, professional review, reimbursement, and patient triage.They also explain why so many people in sleep care still do not realize these changes are coming, and what teams should be doing now before the January 2027 rollout.Key topicsIn this episode, the hosts explain that the current home sleep testing codes are set to sunset at the end of the year, with a new framework expected to launch January 1, 2027.The Crew lays out the new home testing tiers:Low complexity — 3 to 4 channels, CPT 95X18Moderate complexity — 5 to 10 channels, CPT 95X19High complexity — 11 plus channels, CPT 95X20, which includes home PSGTimestamps(00:00) Sponsor messages and episode setup(02:02) Introducing the new PSG code changes(02:59) Why most sleep professionals missed the coming changes(04:15) Fragmented communication in sleep care(05:42) Technical and professional billing are separating(06:42) Home PSG and the new high-acuity testing tier(08:16) Why physicians may need to review more than AHI(09:41) Why vendors cannot yet define the new channels(10:50) What sleep providers should do right now(11:20) Early reimbursement estimates and operational concerns(12:31) Derived channels, device selection, and policy updates(13:23) Payer contracts and vendor agreements may need revision(14:45) The three home testing complexity tiers(16:15) Why in-lab sleep testing is not going away(17:13) CMS, utilization control, and triage strategy(20:07) More data at home, more access to care(23:36) Hospital screening and inpatient sleep apnea risk(25:22) Population health outreach using AI and EHR data(27:57) Final takeaways on preparation, uncertainty, and timing(31:02) Important dates — comment period, November release, January 1 launchShare your opinion and comment on the codes here:https://aasm.org/new-unattended-sleep-testing-cpt-codes-cms-proposed-rule/ A huge thanks to our sponsors:Fisher & Paykel Healthcare  Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosityhttps://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/Philips Healthcare   See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/React Health  https://www.reacthealth.com/More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine  https://sleepreviewmag.com/Credits:Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G MannikaroteHosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George MannikaroteCopyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk ProductionsEpisode 131The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.

This episode looks back at APSS Sleep 2026 with Dr. Gerald George Mannikarote, Emerson Kerr, and Robert Miller. The conversation focuses on how the conference reflected a shift in sleep medicine toward more options, more pharmaceutical involvement, and a stronger need for technologists to stay grounded in fundamentals.We discuss why the live conference experience still matters, how AI and automation are changing scoring and diagnosis, and why pharmacy, telehealth, oral appliances, and new reimbursement codes are reshaping the future of sleep care.Chapters1 - Welcome to the APSS Sleep 2026 annual review2 - Baltimore conference turnout and the return of large in-person meetings3 - Emerson hands off the AST presidency to Massey Arrington4 - Why fundamentals matter in an AI-driven sleep industry5 - Scoring, false positives, and the risk of trusting automation too much6 - Why technologists must keep learning beyond the basics7 - Pharma's growing footprint on the exhibit floor8 - Home PSG systems and the coming CPT code changes9 - Sleep apnea, GLP-1s, and the move toward precision therapy10 - Why the old CPAP-only pathway no longer fits every patient11 - Seven treatment options and the challenge of choosing the right one12 - Why failed protocols and failed home sleep tests need rethinking13 - Pharmacy as a new screening and referral gateway14 - Why more entry points could help more patients get treated15 - Where the future of sleep medicine is headed16 - Moving from AHI alone to why a patient has sleep-disordered breathing17 - Why mild OSA may benefit from earlier non-CPAP treatment18 - Oral appliance therapy education gaps and first-line use19 - A mild OSA patient who benefited from an oral appliance after CPAP struggle20 - Consumer tech, awareness, and the Rise of sleep telehealth referrals20 - Why local sleep conferences still matter for technologists21 - Sleep navigation, education, and where technologists fit in the new model22 - Future guests, new projects, and what to expect next from the showA huge thanks to our sponsors:Fisher & Paykel Healthcare  Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosityhttps://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/Philips Healthcare  See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/React Health  https://www.reacthealth.com/myWaveshttps://mywaves.tech/More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine  https://sleepreviewmag.com/Credits:Intro Music: Pierce G. MannikaroteAudio/ Video: Diego R. MannikaroteHosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George MannikaroteCopyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk ProductionsEpisode 130The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.Don't forget to Like, Share, and Comment! Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of sleep medicine, sleep technology, and patient care.

Sleep Is the Missing Piece of Recovery? | Nurse Sarah Jeffries on Sleep, Addiction & HealingWhat if sleep is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of recovery?On this episode of SleepTech Talk, we sit down with Sarah Jeffries, RN, BSN, MSN, an ER nurse, nurse educator, and sleep health advocate, for a wide-ranging conversation about why sleep needs to be treated as an essential part of recovery—not an optional extra.Sarah shares what she learned firsthand as an ER nurse: sacrificing her own sleep didn’t make her a better healthcare provider. In fact, getting adequate sleep was essential to being fully present and effective for her patients.We also explore the connection between sleep and addiction, including how problematic pornography use can interfere with sleep and why addressing the underlying addiction may be an important part of recovery.And Sarah brings a unique personal perspective to the conversation as the wife of Olympic bronze-medal boxer Tony Jeffries. Through his athletic career and recovery, she has seen firsthand just how important sleep can be for physical and mental performance.We discuss:• Why sleep is essential for virtually every kind of recovery• What Sarah learned about sleep while working in the ER• Why healthcare professionals need to prioritize their own sleep• The connection between addiction, pornography use, and sleep• Why sleep should be part of the conversation around recovery from CTE and brain injury• What athletes can teach us about sleep and recovery• Sarah’s personal experience supporting an Olympic boxer• Why better sleep may be one of the most powerful recovery tools we haveSleep isn't just what happens when recovery stops. Sleep is part of recovery.About Sarah JeffriesSarah Jeffries, RN, BSN, MSN, is a registered nurse, nurse educator, and sleep health educator with experience in emergency-room nursing. She has dedicated much of her work to helping people better understand the importance of sleep and overall health.Check out Sarah’s YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@NurseSarahJeffries A huge thanks to our sponsors:Fisher & Paykel Healthcare  Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosityhttps://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/Philips Healthcare   See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/React Health  https://www.reacthealth.com/myWaveshttps://mywaves.tech/More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine  https://sleepreviewmag.com/Credits:Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G MannikaroteHosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George MannikaroteCopyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk ProductionsEpisode 129The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.Don't forget to Like, Share, and Comment! Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of sleep medicine, sleep technology, and patient care.

Twice every year, Americans change their clocks—but should we?Should the United States eliminate Daylight Saving Time? More importantly, if we do, should we adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time or permanent Standard Time?As Congress debates the Sunshine Protection Act, Karin Johnson, MD discusses the health, safety, and productivity implications of our current system, the scientific evidence behind permanent Standard Time, and what citizens can do if they want to influence future legislation.In this episode of SleepTech Talk, we sit down with Dr. Karin Johnson, one of the nation's leading sleep medicine experts and advocates for permanent Standard Time, to discuss the growing national debate surrounding the Sunshine Protection Act.Dr. Johnson explains the science behind our circadian rhythms, why many sleep medicine organizations support permanent Standard Time instead of permanent Daylight Saving Time, and what everyday citizens can do to make their voices heard.In this episode you'll learn:• The difference between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time• The pros and cons of ending the twice-yearly clock changes• Why many physicians believe permanent Standard Time is healthier• How time changes affect sleep, productivity, mood, and public safety• Where non-healthcare professionals can learn more• How you can contact your elected officials about the issueDr. Karin Johnson serves as Vice President of Save Standard Time and co-chairs the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, representing leading medical organizations including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the National Sleep Foundation. She has also testified before the U.S. Senate regarding the health implications of permanent Daylight Saving Time.Learn More• https://ditchdst.com/• https://savestandardtime.com/If this conversation was valuable, please consider contacting your U.S. Senator and sharing your thoughts on the future of Daylight Saving Time legislation.💬 Share your opinion in the comments: Should the U.S. adopt permanent Standard Time or permanent Daylight Saving Time?🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of sleep medicine and sleep technology.#Sleep #DaylightSavingTime #StandardTime #SleepMedicine #SleepHealth #CircadianRhythm #SleepApnea #SleepTechTalk #SunshineProtectionAct #HealthPolicy #SleepScienceDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.A huge thanks to our sponsors:Fisher & Paykel Healthcare  Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosityhttps://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/Philips Healthcare   See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/React Health  https://www.reacthealth.com/myWaveshttps://mywaves.tech/More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine  https://sleepreviewmag.com/Learn more about the show at https://www.sleeptechtalk.com/thetechroomCredits:Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G MannikaroteHosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George MannikaroteCopyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk ProductionsEpisode 128The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.