Your
sleep
at Burnside

A sleep study, or polysomnography, uses small sensors to monitor oxygen levels, breathing patterns, brainwave activity, eye and leg movements and heart rate functions while you sleep. By continuously recording these functions, we can accurately diagnose sleep disorders and gain a detailed understanding of your sleep patterns.

To organise a sleep study, you’ll need a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) or a specialist. You can download the referral form here.

Once you have the referral, please email it to us [email protected]. After receiving your referral, we'll contact you to schedule your appointment or sleep study.

• Maintain your usual sleep routine in the days leading up to the study.
• Wash your hair on the night of your study, removing oils, creams, conditioners, hairsprays, gels.
• Eat dinner before arriving - only a light supper is provided at the facility.
• Keep your caffeine and alcohol intake within your normal limits.
• Shower and avoid applying conditioners, hairsprays, oils, or gels to your hair.
• Remove nail polish and makeup (acrylic nails may stay on).
• You may shave before your study; beards can remain.

• Private health insurance details, Medicare card, and any other relevant cards.
• Medications you usually take in the evening or morning.
• Comfortable night attire.
• Toiletries: soap, shampoo, and shaving items (if applicable).
• Any alcohol you normally consume before bed.
• Your own pillow for comfort.
• A book or something to do while your study setup is completed (optional).
• If you're using CPAP or BiLevel, please bring your equipment.
• A change of clothes for the morning, if needed.

Please arrive by 7:15 pm and check in at the Patient Service Counter in the Burnside Hospital front foyer. After completing your admission, a Sleep Technician will guide you to your room, explain the setup, overnight procedures, and answer any questions you may have.

The technician will apply the sensors shortly after your arrival to check equipment accuracy and signal quality.

You won't need to fall asleep immediately, as we'll aim to align with your regular bedtime.

Your sleep study concludes around 6:00 am. We provide an en suite bathroom for your convenience and a light breakfast at 7:00 am. Discharge occurs at 7:30 am, though you can inform the technician if you need to leave earlier.

Your study results will be sent to your Sleep Physician, who will discuss them with you during your follow-up appointment.

There are two fees for a sleep study: an accommodation fee and a procedure fee.

• Accommodation Fee: Fully covered by private health insurance with TOP hospital cover. Please contact your health fund to confirm your level of cover before your appointment.
  You may need to provide the following item numbers when contacting your health fund:
  • Diagnostic Sleep Study: 12203
  • Rhinomanometry: 11503
  • CPAP trial/re-titration: 12203
  • MSLT / MWT: 11003
• If you have an excess to pay, this must be settled before or upon admission.
• Procedure Fee: This fee is for the specialist who interprets your sleep study results. It will be forwarded to your health fund, and you will be notified of the amount paid on your behalf.

Most patients sleep well during the study. Each room is designed for comfort, with a king-single bed, private en suite, climate control, and soundproofing.

Though most people sleep well, we understand it may not be the same quality as your usual sleep at home.

The sensors are all connected to one device, which can easily be unplugged by the technician and taken with you to the bathroom during the night.

The sleep study is non-invasive and painless. Small sensors are placed on your scalp, face, chest, fingers, and legs, held in place with tape and paste. You may feel a mild, temporary irritation from the attachment process, but it shouldn't cause major discomfort. Some people may also feel a warm sensation where the oxygen sensor contacts the skin. Once applied, the sensors allow you to move freely for optimal comfort.

Your Sleep Technician cannot discuss results with you but a follow-up appointment will already have been scheduled with your Sleep Physician who will review the results and discuss the next steps with you.

If you don't have a follow-up appointment scheduled, please contact the Sleep Centre [email protected] [link]

If you need to cancel or reschedule your sleep study, please notify the Burnside Sleep Centre [insert link]at least 24 hours in advance so that we can offer your appointment to another patient