About Your Out-of-Hospital Sleep Study

This section provides an overview of your Out-of-Hospital Sleep Study with Sleep Services Australia.

What is a Sleep Study
Having a Sleep Study with Sleep Services Australia
Download Sleep Study Brochure
Why you need a Sleep Study
What is involved in a home-monitoring sleep study
About the sleep monitoring device
What you will need at your First appointment
How your Sleep Study is conducted
What happens after your sleep study
Treatment services offered by Sleep Services Australia
More Information on Sleep Studies

A sleep study is an overnight recording of your sleep for the diagnosis and evaluation of sleep disorders. 

The purpose of a sleep study is to get a thorough understanding of a patient's sleep, and to identify any disorders that may interfere with sleep.  Currently, most patients thought to have sleep apnoea or another sleep disorder need a referral to a sleep physician, and an evaluation of their sleep quality via a sleep study<

Back to Top

We area full service provider in the area of sleep disorders, offering  screening for a wide variety of sleep disorders (snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Periodic Leg Movement Disorder, and Insomnia), using state-of-the-art home-based sleep monitoring equipment and diagnostic software.

We conduct Sleep Studies to assist in diagnosis of Central Sleep Apnoea, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and Narcolepsy.  Our Sleep Studies are also used to monitor the effectiveness of sleep disorder treatment such as CPAP and MAS.

Back to Top

If you are referred to Sleep Services Australia, it means that your doctor feels that it would be appropriate to assess if you have a breathing or movement disorder while you sleep because of  your snoring, symptoms of tiredness/sleepiness, or other medical conditions. 

When you are referred to us, we will contact you to arrange a booking for your sleep study.  As we have no waiting list, you are assured to getting an appointment that is convenient for you.  Once you are booked in for a sleep study, you will be sent an information pack including details about what is involved in a sleep study with Sleep Services Australia.

Back to Top

Click Here to download our Sleep Study Brochure.

Back to Top

• Patients are required to attend a Sleep Services Australia Collection Centre on the day of their sleep study to receive instructions on setting up the device for the sleep study, and to collect the device. 
• During a one-hour Instructional Booking, patients are shown how to set up the monitoring device, and are provided with clear and detailed instructions on how the device operates. 
• Patients are then provided with a sleep monitoring device to take home with them, which they wear overnight.
• After the sleep study, the sleep monitoring device is then returned to Sleep Services Australia for assessment.
• Results are generated quickly and efficiently, and a Report is provided by our Respiratory and Sleep Physician, and sent to the referring practitioner within 10-14 days of a sleep study

Below is an illustration of the Sleep Services Australia sleep-monitoring device in use:

Back to Top

Our Australian-made ambulatory device includes simple sensors applied to the skin surface, which monitor:

• Breathing
• Oxygen levels
• Brain activity
• Cardiac activity, and
• Body movements.

The device itself weighs only 600grams, and includes 2 components and 11 colour-coded sensors and input.  Patients are provided with straight-forward instructions for use during the sleep study, including a Patient Instruction DVD.

Back to Top

>We ask that you bring with you:

• Any treatment devices that you may be using (such as CPAP equipment, or mouthguard)
• Medicare Card
• Method of payment (credit card, cash, debit card)
• If you have difficulty understanding or remembering instructions, you may like to have your partner/carer present
• List of medications that you are currently taking

Back to Top

What you need to do:

• The purpose of the sleep study is to record a normal night's sleep.  Your routine should remain the same as usual - the only difference will be that you will be applying and wearing a home-monitoring sleep device.
• Approximately 30-40 minutes before your usual bedtime, you will place sensors on your body as instructed at your appointment (you can refer to our handy instruction guide).
• Take your medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your referring doctor.
• At the end of the study, you will remove the electrodes/sensors, and return the equipment to Sleep Services Australia as instructed during your visit. 

Before the sleep study:

We recommend that you follow your usual evening meal and normal routine - for example, if you drink alcohol, consume your usual amount, and go to bed at the same time as usual.  We also recommend that you take these steps:

• Remove any make-up or nail polish, and wash your hair - to ensure good contact between the sensors and your skin
• Do not apply any moisturiser or oils to your skin
• Male patients - please ensure that you are clean-shaven (although beards or other facial hair are acceptable)
• If you are unwell before your sleep study, please contact your referring doctor to make alternative arrangements for your study.

Back to Top 

The interpretation of your sleep study results is a complex process, and takes approximately one week to complete.  Your results will be analysed, and a report will be prepared.  Your results will be sent to your referring doctor, so you must ensure to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss the result and clinical recommendations.

Back to Top

• Our in-house Sleep Physicians are available for specialist consultations with patients both prior to, and after, their Sleep Studies - only at Hawthorn East and in Melbourne CBD.
• General Practitioners can refer their patients to our Physicians for an assessment of their sleep disorders, management, and to implement specific treatment.
• We offer Treatment Review Sleep Studies for patients who already use CPAP or Mandibular Advancement Splints.
• Our Head Office practice also includes a CPAP Clinic Service - providing professional mask-fitting, education and instructions, trial of a wide range of CPAP machines and masks, and troubleshooting of equipment problems. 

Click Here to go to our CPAP Information Page, and to learn more about our CPAP Clinic.

Back to Top

• If you experience problems with your sleep, such as snoring or insomnia, you should see your Dentist or General Practitioner to discuss these problems.  Your Doctor may refer you to Sleep Services Australia for a home-based sleep study;
• Complete our Online Query Form (Click Here) or e-mail your contact details to bookings@sleepservicesaustralia.com.au.
• Telephone us on 1300 867 533 (for the cost of a local call) if you are unsure of what to do.
• You may also want to complete our Interactive Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a handy self-evaluation tool to determine if you have Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, which is often a symptom of a serious sleep disorder.  Click here to go to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale section.
• Once you have a Referral from you doctor, you can call our cental Bookings Line on 1300 867 533 for an appointment at a location close to you.  Please have your Referral form, Medicare Card, any concession cards, and personal details ready.
• For medical enquiries about your sleep behaviour, or to discuss you Sleep Study results, please contact your referring Doctor.

Back to Top

Disclaimer & Privacy
webmaster George McKay - Surge Computing Services Pty Ltd - www.surge.com.au
Copyright Protected © 2005-2008  Sleep Services Australia