Home Sleep Test

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition where the upper airway narrows repeatedly during sleep, causing breathing to pause or become shallow. This often leads to snoring and disrupted sleep.

If OSA is left untreated, it can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, and affect your energy, concentration and quality of life.

What is a Home Sleep Test?

For select patients with OSA, the portable home sleep test (HST) is a convenient alternative to the inpatient overnight sleep study at a Sleep Centre, known as a polysomnography (PSG).

A HST costs less than a PSG and can be done in the comfort of your own bedroom. However, it is less detailed and there may be a risk of test failure if the probes are not worn properly.

A HST may not be suitable for you if you:

·       Have had a severe stroke, or a stroke within the last 30 days

·       Have dementia that makes it difficult to follow instructions

·       Have severe heart failure or chronic lung disease with shortness of breath at rest, or are on oxygen therapy

·       Use opioid (strong painkiller) medication regularly

·       Do not know or cannot understand how to use a HST

·       Have other sleep disorders such as:

o   Central sleep apnoea

o   Periodic limb movement disorder

o   Narcolepsy

o   Idiopathic hypersomnia

o   Parasomnia

o   Nocturnal seizures

If you are unsure whether a HST is right for you, please speak with your doctor or care team.

How Should I Prepare for a HST?

On the day of your sleep test, please:

·       Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea in the afternoon and evening

·       Take all your regular medicines, unless your doctor tells you not to

·       Aim for at least 6 hours of sleep during the recording

·       Make sure you are feeling well, not having fever, cough or actively coughing

·       To remove any nail polish/ gel nails, avoid the use of hand cream

How is a Home Sleep Test Done?

Option 1: Collect from a Sleep Centre

1.       Visit a designated Sleep Centre to collect the HST device, which consists of the Snore and Body Position sensor, uPAT probe and WatchPAT monitoring device. This device measures your snoring, breathing and oxygen levels.

2.       A sleep technologist will advise you on the placement of the sensors.

3.       Return the HST device to the Sleep Centre the next day.

4.       Attend your follow-up appointment at the Sleep Centre for assessment and review of the HST by a sleep specialist.

Option 2: Home Delivery

1.       A sleep technologist will contact you to arrange a video consultation.

2.       During the video consultation, instructions will be provided on how to apply the sensors correctly. You will also be guided to download the mobile application required for the test.

3.       The test kit will be delivered to your home on the following day.

4.       Please complete the sleep test within 3 days of receiving the kit, unless otherwise instructed.

5.       Attend your follow-up appointment at the Sleep Centre for assessment and review of the HST by a sleep specialist.

What is a WatchPat Device?

The WatchPAT device is a home sleep monitoring system. It is a diagnostic aid for detecting sleep staging and sleep related breathing disorders. The WatchPAT device consists of 2 main sensors (unified pulse oximetry/PAT probe and integrated snore/body position). It is to be worn like a wristwatch, with the sensors applied to the patient’s hand and chest as per instructed by the technologist.