Renovated Butler Memorial Hospital Sleep Lab Offers More Comfortable Overnight Testing for Adults and Children
- Category: Media Release
- Posted On:
BUTLER, Pa., May 28, 2026 — Independence Health System today announced the completion of renovations to the sleep lab at Butler Memorial Hospital. The updated space offers an inviting and more comfortable environment for adult and pediatric patients undergoing overnight sleep studies, including double rooms with full-size beds that allow a parent or caregiver to comfortably stay overnight with their loved one.
The sleep lab is now located on the hospital’s 4 North unit and is open seven days a week, providing testing for children 3 and older and adults. The renovation, supported by hospital capital improvement funds, was designed to reduce apprehension and improve the overall patient and family experience—while reducing the need to travel outside of the area for specialized overnight testing.
“Sleep problems can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s health, from energy and mood to heart health and overall well-being,” said Shripal Shrishrimal, MD, medical director of sleep medicine and pulmonary services at Butler Memorial Hospital. “This renovated space allows our multidisciplinary team to conduct high-quality overnight studies close to home, helping patients receive the right diagnosis and treatment sooner.”
The renovated space features larger rooms with full-size beds, new furniture, upgraded lighting, new flooring and updated linens — including pediatric bedding in select rooms. Rooms also include desks and convenient outlets for phones and computers, and the overall design emphasizes a hotel-like rather than clinical feel.
Electrical, cable and plumbing systems were also updated, and ADA-accessible bathroom accommodations are available on the unit.
“Sometimes people feel anxious about a sleep study, and that’s even more true for children and parents coming in for the first time,” said Ashley Green, RPSGT, supervisor of the sleep lab. “The new rooms are designed to feel more like a comfortable hotel-like room than a clinical space, with thoughtful details and added room for caregivers. Our goal is to make the experience as easy as possible so patients can get the care they need without the need to travel far.”
Butler Memorial Hospital has offered pediatric sleep studies for children ages 3 and older for several years. Studies may be recommended to evaluate symptoms such as snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, hyperactivity — which can be a sign of a sleep disorder in children — and bed-wetting in older children, as well as prior to procedures such as tonsil removal.
Adult services include polysomnograms, CPAP and BiPAP titration studies, home sleep apnea testing, and additional studies such as MSLTs and MWTs when ordered, among others. Conditions that may be diagnosed and treated include obstructive and central sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia and narcolepsy.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Butler Memorial Hospital sleep lab, call 855-431-1881 or visit www.independence.health.
-30-
Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region.
The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.