This section provides a detailed explanation of your study with Sleep SA.
What is a Sleep Study?
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.
Why do I need a Sleep Study?
If you are referred to Sleep SA, it means that your doctor feels that it would be appropriate to assess if you have a breathing or movement disorder while you sleep. This may be 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 SA.
Preparing for Your Sleep Study
- Try to have a normal sleep the night before your study and keep to your regular daytime routine as much as possible
- Have dinner
- Consume your usual amount of caffeine and alcohol (please don’t exceed your ‘normal’ intake as this may alter your results)
- Have a shower and remember not to apply conditioners, hair sprays, oils, or gels to your hair as this can affect the quality of the signals given by our sensors
Female Patients - Remove all makeup and nail polish (acrylic nails may be left on).
Male Patients - Please shave before you leave home as this will improve the quality of the recording. Bearded men - you DO NOT need to shave off your beard.
What to Bring
- All current medications (please note we are unable to supply these)
- Your private health insurance details, Medicare, and Pension cards
- Toiletries including: toothbrush, shampoo, soap, and shaving items where applicable
- Comfortable bed clothes including a dressing gown and slippers
- Any alcohol you would normally consume prior to bed
- Your pillow
- If you are using CPAP, please bring your mask and tubing
On The Night of Your Study
We ask that you arrive between 7:00 – 7:15pm and present to the hospitals front reception for admission, via the entrance off Sir Edwin Smith Avenue. On arrival one of our friendly and highly qualified Sleep Technicians will escort you to your room and explain the initial set-up and overnight procedures. They will also answer any questions you may have.
Our Technicians will apply the sensors to you quite soon after your arrival. This is so our equipment can be tested accurately and to allow the quality of the signals to be assessed. You will not be required to go to sleep at this time, as we try to adhere to your regular bedtime as much as possible.
While we realise your sleep may not be exactly like your sleep at home, we have designed the bedrooms for maximum comfort. Each room is furnished with a king-size single bed, individually controlled air conditioner, television, and leading edge monitoring equipment. Sleep Technicians will monitor your sleep signals from the monitoring room throughout the night, and will provide you with any assistance you may need.
During the night, you will be able to use the toilet facilities by calling the Technicians who will unplug your sensors from the computer box (this process is quick and easy to do).
In the Morning
Your Technician will wake you after 6:00am and remove the sensors. Breakfast is provided at 7:00am and discharge is at 7:30am. Shower facilities are available. Please inform the technical staff on arrival if you need to depart earlier than 7:00 am.
Parking
Ample street parking surrounds The Memorial Hospital, and security guards conduct regular patrols of the area. Alternatively there is a multi-level car park next to the hospital. The charge for parking in the car park overnight is approximately $16 (provided you leave by 8:00am).
Results / Consultation
In most cases a follow up appointment with your Specialist will be organised when you are booked in for your sleep study. During this consultation, the results of your sleep study will be discussed with you along with any recommendations for further investigation or treatment.
If you do not have a follow-up appointment with either your referring Doctor or a Sleep Specialist, please contact the sleep centre so we can arrange one for you.
Please Note: A copy of your results will be forwarded to your referring Doctor, please allow 10 working days for this process to occur.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy
If you are diagnosed with OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) your Specialist may recommend a repeat sleep study with a trial of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy. Your Specialist will discuss how to proceed with CPAP therapy at your review appointment. All patient undergoing CPAP therapy are provided with ongoing assistance and are encouraged to call the sleep centre or their Specialist if they are experiencing any problems.
Billing
PRIVATELY INSURED PATIENTS
Accommodation Fee
The accommodation fee is fully funded by your private health fund if you have TOP hospital cover. Please phone your health fund, prior to your admission, to determine your level of cover.
Any portion of your overnight accommodation fee not covered by your health fund (i.e. if you have an ‘excess’) must be paid to Memorial Hospital prior to or on the night of your admission.
Procedure Fee
An account will be sent directly to your Private Health Fund in accordance with their fee structure for payment by them.
NON-INSURED PATIENTS
Self funded patients will be charged a fee by the hospital for their overnight accommodation, as well as a separate fee by charged by Sleep SA for their sleep procedure.
There is no rebate given for the hospital stay, however a Medicare rebate applies for the sleep procedure.
Please contact Sleep SA for an outline of our updated procedure fees for your Sleep Study.
Payment of Hospital Accommodation fees and excess fees can be made at Memorial Hospital reception prior to or on admission, or by forwarding their payment advice slip with your credit card details or bank cheque. Please Note: Memorial Hospital is unable to accept personal cheques, however can accept Cash, Visa/Bankcard/Mastercard and bank cheques.
Please contact us on (08) 8366 3805 to discuss your specific requirements and we will advise you of the applicable charges.
