Lincoln Memorial Hospital Expands Access to Include Advanced Sleep Apnea Treatment

David Helm, 47, spent much of his life struggling with exhaustion caused by obstructive sleep apnea. Now, he is resting easier after becoming the first patient to receive an Inspire implant at Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH).

Inspire is an implanted therapy for certain patients with obstructive sleep apnea who require additional help beyond continuous positive airway pressure, commonly known as CPAP. The Inspire device stimulates a nerve that controls tongue movement, helping keep the airway open during sleep.

Helm underwent sleep testing at LMH before receiving the implant under the care of Cindy Moore, MD, an ear, nose and throat physician with SIU Medicine, and Elena Winter, APRN, CNP, with Pulmonary Diseases and Sleep Medicine at Springfield Clinic.

Helm returned to work the following day and resumed a normal routine within weeks.

"If you have the option to pursue better sleep, do it for the longevity and betterment of your life," Helm said. "Not wearing the CPAP is a huge deal."

He now sleeps soundly and has noticed improved energy and focus. Receiving the procedure at his hometown hospital made the experience very convenient. "If you are from Lincoln, ask if it can be done in Lincoln," he added.

Todd Mourning, director of clinical operations at LMH, said the hospital continues to explore opportunities to provide more specialized services close to home.

"Our goal is to keep people local," Mourning said. "If we can offer a procedure safely here, we want to be able to do that. We are always working to bring top medical care here so patients can stay closer to home."

In partnership with SIU Medicine, the Inspire procedure is also available at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital and Springfield Memorial Hospital. Decatur Memorial Hospital offers the procedure with Memorial Specialty Care physicians.

Patients interested in learning more about this procedure should begin the conversation with their primary care physician.