Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital
Part of Ramsay Health Care

Sleep Clinic at SCUPH


Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital offers a high-quality overnight sleep study service for privately insured, DVA and self-funded patients.  The service is supported by a team of experienced Sleep Physicians, Scientists and sleep technicians.

We provide a comprehensive assessment and management of a range of sleep disorders, including:

  • Snoring
  • Sleep Apnoea
  • Sleep Disorders related to Heart Disease, Hypertension, Obesity
  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Nightmares and Night Terrors
  • Sleep Walking/Talking
  • Jet Lag, Circadian Rhythm Disorders and Shifts on Body Clock

We offer the following sleep investigations:

  • Diagnostic Sleep Investigation
  • Nasal CPAP Titration/Re-titration
  • Oral Dental Appliance Investigation
  • Non-Invasive Ventilation Titration
  • REM Behaviour Disorder Investigation (diagnostic with added Arm EMG)
  • Diagnostic with Trans-cutaneous CO2 Monitoring (assessment of respiratory failure, obesity hypoventilation, neuromuscular disorders etc.)
  • Vigilance Tests/Driver licensing assessments*
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) *
  • Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) **

  • * Specialist referral required (Respiratory/Sleep preferred. Cardiology, General or Neurology may be accepted).

    **Sleep physician referral required


HOW TO REFER A PATIENT

  • General practitioners and physicians can directly refer eligible patients
  • General practitioners and physicians can also continue to refer eligible patients with suspected sleep disorders to qualified adult sleep medicine practitioners and consultant respiratory physicians for further investigation, without referring for a sleep investigation.
  • Medicare guidelines from the 1st November 2018 have mandated that a Sleep Physician Consultation is required before an in-hospital CPAP study can be performed.- General practitioners and physicians who want to directly refer patients for a diagnostic home or laboratory-based sleep study to confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnoea will need to determine a patient’s eligibility by using approved assessment tools and meeting the criteria below.
  • Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥ 8 AND one of the following:

  • – OSA-50 score ≥ 5

    – STOP-BANG score ≥ 4

    – Berlin Questionnaire – high risk


Completing the Referral

After receiving the referral, it will be reviewed by a Sleep Physician. Our bookings staff will then contact the patient to book them in. The referring doctor will be notified via letter of the details of studies booked including location. If you would like a sleep physician to manage the patient, simply select Sleep Physician Consultation on the referral form or indicate sleep physician management required in the referral letter.

Detailed management recommendations are on all sleep reports for the referring doctor to manage the patient if appropriate. Complex cases, paediatric referrals and commercial drivers will require Sleep Physician management, and referral for consultation is required.

Diagnostic and CPAP studies can be requested on the same referral (if appropriate), and our sleep physicians will ensure that a CPAP study is performed only if clinically indicated.

Please complete and send the referral form via email or fax to

Medical Objects: Search “Sleep” and select the appropriate Qld Sleep location

Email to sa@qsdu.com.au

Phone: 1800 717 566

Fax: 07 3217 2523

Once received your patient will be called in two business days to receive an appointment


IF YOU ARE A PATIENT

Booking to see a sleep specialist or sleep study

The best way to arrange a sleep study is for you to make an appointment with your GP and request a referral.

There are forms you can download here, but your doctor should be able to access them in their medical system, and either send them back to us via FAX or electronically.

Once you have the referral from your GP you can call us on 1800 717 566, and arrange your sleep study. Our team can then explain the process to you and what will happen after the sleep study is completed.

      Preparing for your overnight visit

Before Your Study

  • Have your evening meal before you arrive, and if possible, your usual amount of alcohol – DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! You may bring alcohol to the sleep unit for consumption prior to the study if desired.
  • In the days before your sleep study, try to follow as near as possible your ‘normal’ sleeping schedule.
  • Remove acrylic nails and/or nail polish – to monitor your oxygen levels overnight a probe is attached to your fingertip which monitors the blood oxygen level in your nail bed (non-invasively).

What to bring to your sleep study

  • List of current medications and medications you require during your stay (no medications on site)
  • Toiletries
  • Night attire such as pyjamas, night dress
  • Bedtime reading or items for another relaxing activity
  • Your own pillow for comfort, if desired
  • If you have a CPAP mask and machine, bring them with you
  • If you use an oral device during sleep such as splint or mouth guard, bring that to use on the night

What to expect on the night of your sleep study

On the night of your sleep study, please ensure that you have your evening meal as usual before presenting to the hospital at 6:45 pm.

After the admission, staff will direct you to the sleep study unit.

All studies are performed in private rooms, featuring comfortable beds, TVs and modern amenities to ensure the best possible sleep conditions.

Once settled in your room, the staff member will apply various sensors used overnight to record sleep quality, breathing patterns, and body movement. This is a painless, non-invasive procedure (approx. takes 45mins).

After you have been wired up, you are free to read in bed or watch TV until you are ready to sleep.

You will be woken around 6 am the following morning. Once the sensors are disconnected you are free to leave. There will be gel in your hair which can be washed off in the shower. There are showers at the centre, but you are safe to drive home for a shower if you prefer.

A light self-service breakfast is available in the morning before your departure.


What to expect after the sleep study is completed

After the study you will receive an SMS when your report has been sent to your Sleep Physician.

Please make an appointment with your Sleep Specialist to obtain your sleep study results if you have not already organised one.