SleepQuest - About Us - SQ Referral Process

Patients

Doctors

Our easy-to-use referral procedure is the fastest in the industry because it was designed for the convenience of patients and ease of use by referring physicians. We provide for diagnostic sleep studies, CPAP titration studies, and treatment solutions, such as CPAP, SmartPAP and Bi-PAP.

SleepQuest is equipped to accept referrals received by phone, fax, e-mail and regular US mail. The typical documentation we require includes your prescription or our Letter of Medical Necessity, and your patient's information sheet including insurance data. We will check eligibility and coverage and let your staff know within 24 - 48 hours whether we can provide the service. This frees up your staff, allowing them to concentrate on other priorities in your office.

Step 1 - The Sleep Study

The first step in referring a patient is to send us your Rx and patient data sheet. This is required the first time you refer a patient to us (usually for the diagnostic study). We will confirm insurance coverage and then notify your office that we are able to proceed. Next, we contact the patient, explain your prescribed service, and inform them of their insurance co-pays or deductibles. We will quickly schedule a time convenient for them, and then notify your office either by fax or phone. All studies are performed in the convenience of the patient's home by our licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) and Polysomnography (PSG) Technicians.

Our diagnostic studies utilize the Resmed Autoset device which measures 10 parameters, including tidal volume, respiratory effort, oxygen saturation, body position, heart rate, apnea frequency and duration and flattening index. We will arrange to pick up the device from the patient the following morning, and will download the data. It is reviewed, analyzed and interpreted by our Medical Director. The complete report is faxed back to your office within one week.

In sleep testing, the practice of giving test results directly to patients varies. Many of our referring physicians prefer the conventional practice of speaking directly with their patients regarding test results. Others have expressed the preference of having SleepQuest communicate results to patients if they call our office since we have clinical experts on staff that can explain results. We always assume the conventional practice unless you request us to do otherwise. At the time of your first referral, we will ask for your preference and will follow your instructions.

Step 2 - Titration (CPAP Study)

Based on the results of your patient's diagnostic study, you may choose to have SleepQuest perform a CPAP titration study. Simply fax a new Rx or Letter of Medical Necessity to us indicating your request for this service. Again, we would contact the patient, explain what this study involves and how it differs from the previous study. The titration study is also performed in the home. This study uses the Autoset device in the titration mode and will automatically calibrate the CPAP pressure throughout the night. It will monitor the previously measured body parameters as reported on the diagnostic study, including four additional channels that will demonstrate the improvements with the use of the CPAP. SleepQuest will pick up the device, download and interpret the data, and fax the complete report back to you with the prescribed CPAP pressure. Depending on the pressure required to stabilize the patient's airway, either CPAP, Auto-adjusting CPAP or Bi-Level CPAP will be recommended. You would then write the prescription making the final recommendation for a therapeutic device and fax it to us.

Step 3 - Treatment

Once we receive your Rx for the CPAP, we will contact your patient and arrange for our RCP or PSG technologist to meet with them to set up the device. Once again, insurance will be verified to check Durable Medical Equipment coverage, as it often differs from professional services coverage.

By this time, our RCP or PSG technologist will have developed a rapport and working relationship with your patient. This ensures a successful experience when the therapist now begins the process of training and educating the patient in the proper use, maintenance and troubleshooting of the prescribed equipment.

Follow-Up

After the first month of treatment, we will contact your patient and complete a Compliance Questionnaire. We use this critical three page report to update you about the patient's CPAP usage. This report will also note any symptoms or side effects they may be experiencing, a review of their Epworth Sleepiness Scale, how well they are maintaining their equipment, and how they feel physically before and after CPAP treatment. This report is provided to you again at six months and one year.