Akureyri Hospital
New service at the Department of Clinical Physiology
18th February 2026
Vilji Ragnarsson, a biomedical scientist, has joined the team and will provide care for patients who require CPAP therapy. His primary responsibilities include setting up and adjusting new CPAP devices, mask fitting, and ongoing follow-up. He will work in close collaboration with the Sleep Research Department at LSH.
In recent years, staff at the Department of Clinical Physiology have been responsible for conducting and interpreting sleep apnea studies for patients within the catchment area of SAk (Akureyri Hospital). There has been a significant increase in the number of studies performed, and many patients have subsequently required treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices.
Until now, Landspítali – The National University Hospital of Iceland has overseen services for patients receiving CPAP therapy, although staff at the Department of Clinical Physiology have provided assistance in urgent cases. This service has now been transferred to the Department of Clinical Physiology with the addition of a new staff member, Vilji Ragnarsson, biomedical scientist, who has joined the team and will provide care for patients requiring CPAP therapy. His primary responsibilities include setting up new CPAP devices, mask fitting, and ongoing follow-up. He will work in close collaboration with the Sleep Research Department at Landspítali (LSH).
Sleep apnea is a serious condition characterized by frequent breathing disturbances or pauses in breathing during sleep. These respiratory events may be accompanied by drops in oxygen saturation, increasing strain on the cardiovascular system and disrupting sleep quality. Studies have shown that individuals with untreated sleep apnea are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It is therefore essential to treat sleep apnea when it is causing adverse health effects.
A large number of individuals within SAk’s catchment area use CPAP devices, and many more are currently awaiting treatment. This new service will significantly improve healthcare provision for residents in the region.
Vilji holds a 40% position at the Department of Clinical Physiology and will be on site on Mondays and Fridays. The position is funded by the Sleep Research Department at Landspítali, and he will work in very close cooperation with staff there. We warmly welcome Vilji to the team.