SleepQuest - About Us - SQ Referral Process

Patients

Doctors

At SleepQuest we understand that the process of scheduling medical appointments, undergoing test procedures and receiving therapy can often be stressful and confusing. That is why we developed our "continuum of sleep care" and an easy-to-use, stress-free referral process.

When you are referred to SleepQuest for a diagnostic study, it is usually because your doctor suspects that you have a sleep related breathing disorder. This may include a history of snoring, daytime fatigue and other symptoms.

The diagnostic study is performed in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Our licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) or Polysomnography Technician (PSG Tech) meets you at a time and place convenient for you, and explains the sleep study process. The therapist will show you how to put the device on before going to sleep. This device measures 10 different body parameters including heart rate, oxygen saturation, body position while asleep, respiratory effort and apnea duration. The following morning, we will pick up the device and download the data which is then interpreted by our Medical Director. Once the report is completed, we fax it to your physician who will review the results with you and guide you in making the best decision about the next step.

If the initial study indicates a sleep apnea problem that could be treated with CPAP then the next step is that your physician will prescribe an Unattended CPAP Titration Study. This study, determines the appropriate level of air pressure required to keep your airway open. This is done using an Auto Adjusting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (SmartPAP). As with the diagnostic study, we will pick up the device the following morning, analyze the data and fax the report to your doctor. It usually takes less than one week from the time your study is done until your doctor receives the report.

The results of the titration study indicate the appropriate settings for your CPAP treatment device. Depending on the prescribed pressure, either a basic CPAP, which provides for a fixed pressure of normal room air or a SmartPAP, which offers a variable pressure throughout the night will be prescribed.

After you have had both a diagnostic study and a CPAP titration study, your doctor will prescribe a CPAP treatment device. You will be set up with this treatment device by the same therapist (RCP or PSG Technologist) that tested you before. They will train and educate you in the proper use and maintenance of the prescribed equipment, along with helpful hints.

After the first month of treatment, we will contact you and complete a Compliance Questionnaire. We use this critical three page report to identify any problems and update your doctor about your CPAP usage. This report is done again at six months and one year. It insures that CPAP treatment is working effectively and resulting in long-term success for you.