Sleep Test

Sleep WA offers both comprehensive In-Hospital sleep studies, as well as home studies that allow you to sleep in the comfort of your own bed.

To learn more about each specific test offered at Sleep WA, select from the options below.

A laboratory (inpatient) sleep study is the gold standard investigation for sleep disorders. A patient spends the night in a private room in hospital with overnight supervision by a highly trained sleep technologist. Acquisition of sleep data is continuously monitored and the sleep technologist is able to enter the patient room to correct any technical issues. Additionally, inpatient sleep studies include video monitoring for patients suspected of night terrors, REM behaviour disorder, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements and other parasomnias.
A laboratory sleep study is most appropriate for patients with suspected mild sleep apnoea, obesity hypoventilation, complex sleep apnoea and parasomnias. Accurate diagnosis of these disorders typically requires high quality of data and sleep technologist supervision ensures this quality.

The duration of a laboratory sleep study is overnight (approximately 7pm to 7am). Nasal resistance and spirometry are performed at the onset of the study. The patient is allowed to watch television, read, have a snack, etc. before bedtime.

Laboratory sleep studies are available at our Nedlands, South Perth and Claremont locations. Sleep study reports detailing diagnosis and treatment recommendations are provided to the referring doctor approximately one week after the date of the sleep study.

Contact Us or phone 1300 570 700 today to request a consultation.

Home based sleep studies have emerged as an effective way to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders. For many patients, sleep testing in the comfort of the home is clinically appropriate and more convenient than undergoing an inpatient sleep study. Additionally, a home based sleep study may be the most affordable option to thoroughly evaluate sleep.

At Sleep WA, home based sleep studies monitor all the same physiological measures as laboratory (inpatient) sleep studies. The same amount of data is collected and the same amount of time is spent analysing the data – both by highly trained sleep technologists and by the Sleep Physician. The primary difference between a home based sleep study and a laboratory study is that the home based sleep study is not supervised by a sleep technologist. Thus, if one or more sensors are dislodged during a home based study, there is potential for suboptimal viewing of portions of data. With this in mind, a home based sleep study is most useful when the patient has a moderate to high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Immediate appointments for home based sleep studies are available and these appointments take one hour. The patient arrives to a Sleep WA clinic site late in the afternoon and a qualified sleep technologist then applies all of the sleep sensors. Once all equipment is attached the patient is able to walk, move freely, drive home, and go about his or her normal bedtime routine. In the morning, the sensors may be easily removed by the patient and the equipment is returned to the Sleep WA clinic site.

Home based sleep studies are available at our Nedlands and Rockingham locations. Home sleep studies can also be set up from some GP practices. Please call 1300 570 700 to find out which practices are currently able to provide this service.It is not necessary to have a consultation with a Sleep Specialist prior to undergoing a home based sleep study. A GP may refer a patient directly for this study, which may reduce patient wait time for diagnosis and treatment. Sleep study reports detailing the diagnosis and treatment recommendations are provided to the referring doctor approximately one week after the date of the sleep study.

Contact Us or phone 1300 570 700 today to request a consultation.

The MSLT is a daytime, inpatient sleep study to diagnose narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable urges to sleep during the day. The MSLT consists of a series of short naps throughout the day at timed intervals. Typically, a person will have an overnight inpatient sleep study prior to undergoing the MSLT. Sleep WA conducts the MSLT at our Nedlands location at Hollywood Hospital.

Contact Us or phone 1300 570 700 today to request a consultation.

Level 3 sleep apnoea screener studies are a simple, 3 channel portable home sleep study that specifically monitors respiratory/breathing parameters during sleep, providing objective data to aid in the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in high risk patients.

Sleep WA’s Sleep Apnoea Screener service has been implemented to provide a convenient, yet clinically sound pathway to objectively measure the severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in high risk candidates, without having to leave your home!

To qualify for Sleep WA’s Home Sleep Screener service, you will need to have a request/referral from your sleep physician or a score of 3 or higher in the OSA risk assessment STOPBANG questionnaire.  Click here if you have not already completed this survey and make note of your score.

What this service includes:

  • The device mailed the same or following day to your home, with a return parcel.
  • A Level 3 sleep screener study where the raw data is scored by a sleep scientist and reviewed and reported on by a qualified Sleep WA Sleep Physician.
  • Comprehensive Physician review of all relevant medical history, derived from our comprehensive Sleep Questionnaire and used, in conjunction with the Sleep Screener, to properly assess and direct the most appropriate follow-up pathway.
  • A copy of your Sleep Report, including Physician recommendations will be sent to you, as well as your General Practitioner to ensure your holistic health is being managed appropriately.

Limitations:

A Level 3 Sleep Screener does not include the following channels, which are reserved for more comprehensive Level 1 Laboratory Based Sleep Study or Level 2 Home Based Polysomnography Sleep Study sleep studies.

  • No EEG/EOG channels (used to determine your sleep stage i.e. awake vs. asleep)
  • No limb channels (detects limb movements and useful to diagnose Periodic Limb Movement Disorder and various other movement disorders)
  • No ECG channels (used to monitor the heart’s rhythm overnight)
  • No video Recording (used to verify various movement disorders or Parasomnias)

Level 3 screeners are specifically designed to aid in the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.  The test is therefore not suitable/optimal for:

  • Patients with a low probability or risk of having OSA (STOPBANG score less than 3).  A negative test doesn’t comprehensively rule-out the possibility of OSA or other forms of Sleep Disordered Breathing.
  • Patients with significant Co-Morbidities.

Additional Information:

  • You will be unable to shower while wearing the device.
  • There are no restrictions on eating or drinking the night of your home sleep study. Please go about your normal nightly routine, even if this includes consumption of alcohol.
  • Once the equipment has been applied, you will be unable to participate in any vigorous exercise.
  • Please continue any medications that you have been prescribed by your doctor.
  • Note that any alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption or medications taken will need to be documented on the Home Sleep Study Diary the following morning.

 How do I proceed?

Before proceeding, please make sure you have read the limitations and additional information sections of this test.

Step 1: Make sure you have written down your OSA Risk assessment (STOPBANG) score. If you have been recommended this test by your sleep physician, you do not require this score.

Step 2: You need to complete and submit the following Sleep WA questionnaires. Click here to link to our online forms page.

  • Sleep Screener Patient Consent
  • New Patient Registration Form
  • Sleep WA Sleep Questionnaire

Step 3: Sleep WA will contact you within two working days of your request to confirm your booking and bill you for the service.  You are welcome to ask any questions or opt out at this time if you do not wish to proceed.

Step 4: Sleep WA will mail you the Sleep Screener device with a return parcel.  The device will come with very simple instructions on how to fit the device. A youtube demonstration video can also be found at the top of this section.

Step 5: The device will need to be worn on the night it arrives or (if you have evening plans), the very next night only – further delays may incur additional fees.  Follow the instructions included with the device to set it up on yourself.

Step 6: Remove the device the following morning and neatly pack the device back in its carry bag and subsequently in the return parcel provided.

Step 7: Open the Sleep WA website, open the online forms page and and complete and submit the “Home Sleep Study Diary” Questionnaire.

Step 8: Put the packed device in the return package and mail this back to Sleep WA that same morning (please triple check that all the equipment has been returned as you may be liable for the cost of any missing or broken items).

Step 9: Your health is in your hands!  Your report will include recommendations which may require a consultation with your GP or sleep specialist to discuss the results.

How is this service different to other Sleep Screeners?

Sleep WA offers the highest possible quality control for all its sleep studies and does not compromise quality for price.  This means the raw data is always reviewed and analysed first by a Sleep Scientist to verify the quality of the data and ensure a repeat study is not required, and then reviewed by a qualified Sleep WA Physician (The entire process is performed in-house).

The Physician reviews your relevant medical history (from our comprehensive Sleep Questionnaire) to holistically identify your sleep concerns and make the appropriate recommendations.  Sleep Screeners are limited in their measurements, so this is necessary to ensure the Physician is alerted to any other underlying sleep disorders or Co-Morbidities that may require more comprehensive follow-up.

The equipment is conveniently delivered to your house and the entire study can be done without leaving your home.

Sleep WA understands the purpose and limitations of level 3 screeners to make sure the appropriate recommendations are made.

How can I trust this service?  

Sleep WA is one of Western Australia’s leading Sleep and Respiratory Clinics, directed by leading Sleep and Respiratory Physician, Doctor Jack Philpott. Doctor Philpott is responsible for all clinical pathways and services within Sleep WA.

What does this service cost?

The total cost of this service is $170 inclusive of return delivery (payable before the equipment is delivered to your home).

There are currently no Medicare rebates for level 3 Sleep Screener studies.