For Physicians
Our Medical Staff
Sleep Services
Referral Protocol
Screening Tools
Dear Colleague,
As physicians who encounter individuals with a wide variety of sleep disorders, we see first-hand the physical and emotional toll of poor quality sleep. We commend you for your willingness to recognize the important role that sleep plays in your patient’s overall health maintenance program. By referring your patients to the Center for Sleep, we are confident they will experience the highest quality of care to quickly and accurately evaluate their sleep-related problem. The physicians and staff of the Center for Sleep look forward to the opportunity to serve you and your patients.
Sincerely,
The Medical Staff
Center for Sleep
Saint Thomas Health Services
Sleep Services
Sleep diagnostic testing is available at the Center for Sleep six nights a week – Sunday through Friday. Sleep testing is also performed during the day – Monday through Friday. Testing will generally coincide with your patient’s normal sleep hours.
Sleep studies are performed to evaluate snoring, breathing, arousals, movements, and certain behaviors during sleep. In addition, studies are performed to assess sleepiness or one’s ability to stay awake.
Types of Sleep Studies:
- Polysomnography (EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG, Airflow, Respiratory Effort, and O2 Sat)
- Polysomnography with Positive Airway Pressure
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) – a test performed usually on transportation professionals to assess efficacy of therapy.
During any sleep study, the registered sleep technologist stages sleep and scores events “on the fly.” Therefore, when the sleep test is completed, the sleep physician can review “scored” raw data and have a sleep report ready for interpretation. This type of efficiency allows the sleep physician to follow up quickly with the patient and establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. This also means that the referring physician will receive a report in a timely manner.
Referral Protocol
To refer a patient for a sleep evaluation, please choose one of the three options:
- Contact the Center for Sleep directly at 615-284-7537.
- Download, complete, and fax the Referral Form to the Center for Sleep at 615-284-6025.
- Contact one of our participating sleep physicians.
Screening Tools
The Center for Sleep has provided the following sleep disorders screening tools to assist you in assessing your patient’s need for further sleep disorder evaluation. If you have any questions about these screening tools, please contact the Center for Sleep at 615-284-7537.