Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sleep Apnea Program Saved Life

A very hot topic in the trucking industry is the issue of Sleep Apnea. Here is a story the Reuters ran November 4th, 2009 about how a sleep apnea program saved a million mile drivers life. Here is the story:

SleepSafe Drivers, Inc. Announces Early Success in Sleep Trials with J.B. Hunt
Transport Services, Inc.
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
SleepSafe Drivers, Inc., a national provider of sleep apnea diagnosis and
treatment programs for fleets, today announced positive preliminary results from
a clinical trial focused on testing and treating truck drivers suffering with
sleep apnea as part of a national contract with J.B. Hunt Transport Services,
Inc. The clinical trial is a collaborative effort between J.B. Hunt, SleepSafe
Drivers, Inc., and Fusion Sleep LLC, Georgia`s leading provider of clinical
sleep medicine services to patients and employers.

The goal of the trial, which is backed by an Independent Review Board, is to
improve the health and safety of the drivers. The trial results will document
any cost savings from reduced medical expenses and lower accidents as a
consequence of the program. J.B. Hunt is accelerating the pace of the trial and
expects to continue expanding the program over time.

"We are committed to enhancing the safety and health of our drivers, and
SleepSafe Drivers is helping us get that done," said Greer Woodruff, Senior Vice
President of Corporate Safety and Security at J.B. Hunt. "One of our Million
Mile drivers recently told us that he felt the sleep apnea program had literally
saved his life. After starting APAP therapy, that driver has lost 115 pounds,
knocked out his challenging and chronic daytime fatigue, and was able to begin
exercising again for the first time in years. There is absolutely no doubt that
he is healthier and safer as a result of the program."

One of the major benefits of the SleepSafe Drivers program is the Company`s
unique On-SiteTM testing and Sure ComplianceTM treatment program designed
specifically for truckers. These programs offer the ability to test drivers for
sleep apnea using out-patient testing via ambulatory tests wherever the driver
is sleeping that night. Ambulatory testing is less costly and more convenient
for truck drivers, making it easier for them to get tested sooner and start
receiving treatment.

"We are proud to be helping J.B. Hunt deliver on their goal of improving the
health of their drivers while also reducing avoidable risk and expenses," stated
Dana Voien, president of SleepSafe Drivers. "Working with our clinical partners
at Fusion Sleep in Atlanta, we are confident that fleets will recognize a four
to ten month payback period on the program investment, so it more than pays for
itself in the first year alone. Our national network assures that we can cover a
fleet`s entire needs across the nation."

"The goal of the trial is to quantify the health benefits and document changes
in fatigue-related accidents and safety as a consequence of this unique program.
Preliminary findings already demonstrate real and significant health benefits,
and we anticipate that this research will provide us with the most comprehensive
data and cost-effective model for disease and accident prevention in the
trucking industry," said Jeffrey Durmer, MD, PhD, and Chief Medical Officer of
Fusion Sleep and principal investigator of the clinical trial.

About SleepSafe Drivers, Inc.

SleepSafe Drivers, Inc. is a provider of programs to reduce sleep apnea risk for
both trucking fleets and their drivers. The SleepSafeDrivers program is designed
specifically for employees in risk-sensitive jobs or with challenging work
schedules. The specialized program minimizes downtime and delivers a 90%+
success in treatment compliance. The SleepSafe Drivers management team has
unparalleled experience and expertise in ambulatory testing, high-compliance
treatment products and protocols, and a strong network with the nation`s leading
sleep labs, sleep physicians, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers. For
more information, visit www.sleepsafedrivers.com.

SleepSafe Drivers, Inc.
Dana Voien
President
949-330-3682 or 877-749-2728
danav@sleepsafedrivers.com
or
Launchit Public Relations
Susan Fall
858-490-1050
susan@launchippr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009