Sleep Disorders

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

The sleep disorders clinic is specifically for the investigation and management of people holding current Health Care Cards or Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards with suspected sleep apnoea who have evidence of a high probability of sleep apnoea as identified by formal questionnaires.

All referrals (see RHH Sleep Clinic Referral template and Frequently Asked Questions or Primary Health Tasmania downloadable referral) should comply with the Referral Standards and specifically include:

  • History of presenting symptoms including treatments tried
  • Current medical conditions and relevant past history
  • Current medications list
  • Concession card information must be included
  • Examination findings including ENT findings
  • Smoking history

Tests

Must include:

  • Results of the STOP-BANG Assessment with a score equal to or > 4 and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale equal to or greater than 8
  • BMI
  • TFTs
  • Electrolytes
  • BSL (fasting) or HbA1c
  • Iron studies (if restless legs are suspected)
  • TFTs, Iron studies, Vit D (if presents with tiredness)

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Referrals will be triaged according to the information supplied, with some patients being directly straight to sleep studies and some patients being seen in clinic first.  Referrals with insufficient information will be returned to the referrer.

Where possible consider reducing narcotic and benzodiazepine use.  Advise weight loss if possible.  Manage comorbidities e.g. hypertension.

People without Health care cards and Commonwealth Seniors Health cards are not eligible for this service and will require assessment in the private sector.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Additional Information

The following articles may assist:

RACGP article - Update on the assessment and investigation of adult obstructive sleep apnoea

American Association of Family Practitioners article - Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults

Australian Government - Department of Health information:

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.

Patients with suspected lung cancer will be seen within one week.

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Respiratory Department and/or the relevant doctor for urgent assessment.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks.

Routine:

Next available appointment.