Sleep studies.
Rockingham CPAP’s Level 2 Sleep Study (also called Polysomnography) can be conducted in the comfort of your own home. In addition to monitoring your breathing activity, oxygen levels, and heart rate, a level 2 sleep study monitors brain and muscle activity.
‘What does it involve?’
You will attend Rockingham CPAP where a highly trained technician will expertly attach the diagnostic equipment in the privacy of one of our consulting rooms. This process takes approximately 45-60 minutes. Our technicians then run a configuration and signal test to ensure that we achieve the best possible data from your sleep study. Once complete you then leave with the diagnostic equipment attached. You leave the equipment on overnight, and can remove it at home in the morning, prior to returning it back to the clinic.
‘When will I get my results?’
Your data is sent to a registered polysomnographic technologist within 48 hours of being received back at the clinic (excludes weekends and public holidays). They will examine and assess your data. This is then sent to one of our leading sleep specialists who will provide a diagnosis and report back to your referring GP. The entire process is complete within a few days with your GP usually receiving the completed report within 4 working days.
‘What does it cost?’
A Medicare benefit may be available and we require a referral form signed by your General Practitioner to assess your eligibility. Please click here to download your referral form or complete online. Should a Medicare benefit be available the usual out of pocket is $150.
Where patients don’t meet the eligibility set out on the referral form, a Medicare benefit may still be applicable through assessment with one of our sleep specialists. This assessment will also require a referral from your general practitioner. Assessments from our sleep specialists are bulk billed. Please click here to download your referral form or complete online.
If you require a privately funded sleep study please contact Rockingham CPAP on 08 9593 6166 to discuss.
‘The technical?’
Our sleep studies meet the criteria of Medicare Benefits Schedule Item 12250. The parameters we assess in our Level 2 Home Based Sleep Studies include Nasal Flow/Respiratory effort/Pulse oximetry/ECG/Limb activity/EEG/EOG and Sub mental chin EMG activity. For Medicare benefit, the patient must be referred by a medical practitioner to a qualified adult sleep medicine practitioner or a consultant respiratory physician who has determined that the patient has a high probability for symptomatic, moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea based on a STOP‑Bang score of 3 or more, an OSA50 score of 5 or more or a high risk score on the Berlin Questionnaire, and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 8 or more; or following professional attendance on the patient (either face‑to‑face or by video conference) by one of our sleep specialists and it is determined that investigation is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Sleep studies FAQ.
Our patients are normally equipped in the late afternoon to minimise the length of time they are required to wear the equipment prior to sleeping. Once leaving the clinic we encourage patients to continue with regular activities. You can still drive, cook dinner, go for a walk with the dog etc. More strenuous activity though would likely lead to equipment dis-attaching.
We normally encourage patients to perform regular activities where appropriate. For example, If you have a glass of wine each night then doing so on the night of your sleep study will allow us to achieve data representative of a normal night. The same goes for medications. We encourage patients to continue to take the prescribed medications they would normally take.
Whilst measures are taken to minimise the occurrence of this happening, patients will receive instructions and consumables that will assist them in replacing any equipment that may dis-attach during their study period.
Rockingham CPAP’s Home Based Sleep Studies exceed the minimum criteria for a Level 2 study and for what Medicare requires for a benefit. We look at sleep in more holistic way than other providers and thus we assess more data to achieve a more complete understanding of your sleep. We also like to ensure that the data we collect is of the highest possible standard which is why we test the signals coming from our equipment before you leave the clinic. It will become very obvious once the equipment is being attached as to why this would be impractical for a patient to perform themselves.
For Medicare benefit we are required to assess your sleep for at least 8 hours. That means 8 hours of attempting to sleep and sleeping. Thus, it is important to book your study at a time when you will have the opportunity to sleep for at least 8 hours. The more data we get the better the analysis.
This depends on a number of factors, but most importantly the results from your sleep study. Where ‘mild’ sleep apnoea is present in a uncomplicated form then treatments including weight loss or a mandibular adjustment split may be recommended. If your sleep apnoea is only registered when your lying on your back we may be able to use a positional device such as the Philips NightBalance or a device called Nightshift as an effective solution. For the more severe and complicated diagnosis a ‘PAP (Positive Airway Pressure)’ device is generally recommended. Ultimately you make the decision, but we highly recommend this is done in consultation with your GP and with consideration to the report provided by one of our sleep specialists.
The result.
By joining forces with a expert team of scientists and specialists for your sleep study, we’re certain your results will reflect the level of expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and technology our organization is renown for. We believe that effective management of your sleep apnoea is achieved when all key health stakeholders are involved from start to finish. We strongly encourage high levels of your GP’s involvement in the sleep study process.
And when effective sleep apnoea management is achieved, you can look forward to a more refreshed, more revitalized “you”.
Two sleep study options.
Collaboration with your GP for the best outcome.
Excellent support every step of the way.
Enjoy a more refreshed, revitalised self.
Diagnostic sleep studies evaluated by leading Sleep Specialists.
Effectively manage your sleep apnoea.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you snooze comfortably.
