#United States #Sleep Apnea #Somerset #Wesper #RWJUH

Significant Expansion in Sleep Testing at RWJUH

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in Somerset, New Jersey, has achieved a remarkable increase in its sleep testing capabilities, having expanded its capacity by an impressive 290%. This transformation follows the implementation of the Wesper dropship model, which has revolutionized how sleep apnea testing is conducted at the facility.

Prior to this change, RWJUH struggled with a growing demand for sleep apnea tests. The hospital was limited to just eight home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) devices, which restricted the number of patients able to receive care. Patients were required to travel to the hospital to pick up and return the devices, leading to lengthy waiting times—often up to two months. This created a chaotic situation where the ability to test more patients was chiefly constrained by the availability of equipment instead of clinical staff.

Samer Gerges from RWJUH noted, "The device, not the clinician, was dictating throughput." However, once the hospital adopted Wesper’s direct-to-patient model, the logistical burden associated with in-office pick-ups and returns was eliminated. Devices can now be shipped straight to patients’ homes, allowing them to complete their tests without needing to visit the hospital.

This shift has resulted in a dramatic improvement in efficiency: within the first month of utilizing the dropship model, RWJUH was able to increase its monthly patient volume significantly, completely eradicate its backlog, and reduce the turnaround time from about two months to just one week or less. Gerges remarked on the transformative nature of the switch, stating, "It was a huge difference when we first switched over. Wesper moves fast and takes feedback seriously. When we say something, Wesper listens and implements quickly."

Additionally, this operational boost has paved the way for new clinical capabilities. With the prior limitations on device availability removed, RWJUH can safely perform multi-night diagnostic studies and at-home CPAP titration, something that was previously not feasible.

The geographical access for patients has also greatly improved, allowing those living hours away from the hospital to perform their tests without unnecessary travel. According to Gerges, this enhancement essentially redefined their sleep program, transforming it from a capacity-constrained service to a scalable solution that meets both referral demand and patient access needs.

Importantly, all of these significant improvements were accomplished without the need for expanding physical infrastructure or increasing the staff count. Technicians can now dedicate more time to critical review and direct patient care rather than managing logistical hurdles of device management.

What began as a simple workflow optimization has evolved into a fundamental transformation of RWJUH’s sleep program. The recent operational changes have not only enhanced the hospital’s capacity to serve patients but also improved overall patient care by streamlining the testing process. For further insight into this transformation, you can download the comprehensive whitepaper titled How Wesper Revolutionized Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital here.

About Wesper

Wesper is an FDA-cleared platform designed for at-home sleep testing. By providing comprehensive sleep data while simplifying logistics through a direct-to-patient model, Wesper aims to improve the management of sleep health across various healthcare settings.