Today's Healthcare Heroes | Katie Peterson, Sleep Tech

What is your position/department?
I'm a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, aka Sleep Tech and I work out of the Sleep Center located on the 2nd floor of Watertown Regional Medical Center.

What does a typical day look like in your position?
I come into work and get set-up for our patient’s arrival, including getting all wires and equipment ready. Once the patient(s) are here, I hook them up to all the monitoring wires and explain what each one does, how the night will go, etc. Once the patient(s) are in bed I score their stages of sleep (by looking at their brainwaves) and also score their respiratory events and breathing patterns. If patient needs to be put on CPAP therapy, I will do so about halfway through the night.

Once the CPAP has been put on, I continue to monitor their breathing and make any adjustments to the CPAP settings and mask based off of what I see in their sleep, ultimately getting their breathing patterns to where they are supposed to be and eliminate apneas. In the morning I unhook the patient from all the wires and they are free to go home.

How long have you been at Watertown Regional Medical Center? Have you always been in the same position?
I have worked at Watertown Regional Medical Center for 5 years. I started in a PRN position as a sleep tech then transitioned into full time. I have always been in the sleep center, although during COVID-19, while we had to be shut down, I worked a number of months in EVS and then transferred to swabbing patients for COVID-19 tests in the drive thru. Once the Sleep Center opened back-up, I returned to work there.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
Originally, I thought I wanted to be a nurse, and I was in nursing school when I decided it wasn’t for me. I still knew I wanted to do something in healthcare as I am passionate about helping others and improving their quality of life. I started a job in a sleep lab doing scheduling and other various office tasks, then I started the training and education program to become a Sleep Tech.

What’s new in your department? Are there any new technologies being utilized?
Sleep medicine is always evolving and improving. One of the biggest ways is in the CPAP masks. There is always new masks coming out with the patients comfort and convenience in mind. CPAP masks are a lot smaller and user friendly than they used to be. Since all patients are different, we also have a variety of different styles, sizes, and types of masks. This is always a pleasant surprise to our patients when getting fitted for a mask. They aren't one size fits all.

Why do you believe patients can Count on Watertown Regional Medical Center for safe and quality care?
We always put our patients first no matter what and always want our patients to feel as if they are our only patient by giving them the time they deserve and by providing quality care. To get the best results at the sleep center, we do all we can to make our patients feel safe and comfortable while they are in our care.

What do you enjoy most about working at Watertown Regional Medical Center?
I love the people I work with. Although our department is small, we make a great team! Even outside the sleep center, everyone else working in the hospital is always friendly and willing to lend a hand. This was especially evident during COVID-19 when people, like me, worked across different departments to offer help where it was needed.

What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem in the Watertown area?
I love anything outdoors. I do a lot of hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and spending time at my cabin up north. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, Collin and German Shepard, Ranger. Our little family is also expecting a new addition in August this year and are so excited. Although I live in Waupun, I love to go to the coffee shop Latte Donatte in Watertown before and/or after work.