Sleep Studies - Nepean Lung and Sleep

Good quality sleep is important for our health. If we go without it for too long, it can impact many areas of our lives, from our ability to perform everyday jobs to our concentration, immunity, memory and mental health.

Common sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea are linked to other serious medical conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. They can be better understood through sleep studies, which offer insight into the cause of poor sleep, and how to move forward with treatment.

Sleep studies at Nepean Lung and Sleep

We run three sleep laboratories in Western Sydney: one at Nepean Private Hospital, one at Hawkesbury District Hospital, and an outpatient lab located on Derby St, Kingswood.

Best practice is our priority, so you can be confident that you’re receiving the best service and the most accurate results.

All of our purpose-built sleep labs feature the latest equipment, and are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities Australia. Our tests are performed according to Australasian sleep association (ASA) guidelines and the standards set by the internationally recognised American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Why choose a laboratory sleep test over a home sleep test?

Evidence shows that sleep tests performed in a laboratory produce better results than a home sleep study. The signals are clearer, which means the quality of the data is significantly better. At Nepean Lung and Sleep, you also have the security of knowing that a qualified technician is present at all times to ensure the process runs smoothly.

Sleep tests we perform

Diagnostic sleep study – this is a comprehensive test that involves staying overnight in a sleep laboratory. While you sleep, the following measurements will be taken: electrical signals from the brain (EEG), muscle activity (EMG), eye movement (EOG), airflow, heart rate, body movement and oxygen levels in your blood.

This allows your doctor to understand what is happening in your body while you sleep, and can help diagnose sleep disorders.

Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) – this test looks at excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. It is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) – this measures how alert you are during the day, and whether you are able to stay awake for a defined period of time. It indicates how well you can function and remain alert in quiet times of inactivity.

Actigraphy – this type of testing uses a wearable device to continuously monitor your activity and rest cycles over a certain period of time. This helps specialists identify patterns in your sleep.

Overnight oximetry – this overnight test takes place at home and continuously monitors the amount of oxygen in the blood. It is a useful test to evaluate how effective supplemental oxygen is.

Carbon Dioxide monitoring (EtCO2 and TcCO2) – measuring the level of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath (EtC02) and through the skin (TcC02) can provide valuable information about a person’s quality of sleep. We perform both end-tidal CO2 (EtcO2) and transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2) monitoring.

Home sleep tests (levels 2-4) – there are different levels of sleep tests currently available, with the best (Level 1) being a sleep study in a laboratory with trained professionals, ranging down to level 2 (the highest level of home sleep testing) through to 4.

Pressure determination study – This test is performed with the patient using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device while they sleep. The overnight sleep technician will make pressure setting adjustments as needed to keep the airway open.

Mandibular advancement efficacy study – A Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) or Device (MAD) is used to keep the airway open by pulling the lower jaw forward. These devices are usually custom made and are used to treat snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Patients with this form of therapy will have a sleep study wearing the device to determine how well the therapy is working.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) titration study – this is a more advanced type of a pressure determination study where additional PAP settings are monitored and adjusted to ventilate the patient. An NIV type study can be used to improve oxygen saturation and Complex Sleep Apnoea.