How reliable is HST technology?
HST technology has been around for more than two decades. It has effectively lowered healthcare costs in Australia, Europe and Canada. Within the past five years, improvements to the technology have made it even more reliable. HST devices now include faster sampling rates on the oximetry channels (better correlation between channels) and simpler setup procedures for patient self-application. It’s difficult to do direct comparisons between the sleep lab and the home because of individual differences from night to night. However, HST is probably slightly less reliable for patients with a borderline Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) because sleep time is not measured. That is why Medicare and other insurers have said that it cannot be used as a screener; HST should only be used to confirm sleep apnea in patients with clinical symptoms. For peer-reviewed articles supporting HST and the historical perspective, refer to the section titled Clinical Evidence.
