Respiratory Physiology Laboratory and Sleep Disorders Unit (Sleep Lab)

Our Respiratory Physiology Laboratory provides diagnostic tests for people with breathing problems.

Our Sleep Disorders Unit (Sleep Lab) provides diagnostic reports and tests for people experiencing issues with their sleep, usually resulting from airway problems.

About this service

We perform a range of tests in the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory. These tests measure and monitor your lung function and include:

• Spirometry
• Static Lung Volume Measurements
• Gas Transfer
• Bronchial Provocation Testing
• 6 Minute Walk Tests
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
• Hypoxic Challenge Testing.

Our services are part of a larger service that comprises Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine. We also offer Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) to assist in diagnosis.

Who we care for

We offer these services for free if you have a Medicare Card or an Asylum Seeker Card.

People who are not eligible for Medicare or a will have to pay for services.

How to access this service

Your GP or medical practitioner will organise for you to access this service.

One of our doctors will review and triage your referral once we receive it.

We will write to both you and your referring doctor to let you know we have received your referral.

Some conditions are more urgent than others, so for this reason, you may be placed on a waiting list.

One of our team members will get in touch with you to book your initial appointment based on your triage category and place in the queue.

We’ll send you a letter with your appointment details, once it is booked. We’ll also send you a reminder two weeks before your appointment. If you have this set up, you will receive an SMS reminder three days before your appointment.

What to expect

You may be asked to participate in a test or study so we can assess you. We will let you know if this is the case.

You can read more about these tests on the Lung Foundation website.

We recommend you wear loose-fitting and comfortable clothing if you need a lung function test.

If you are having a walking test, you will need to wear shoes you are comfortable walking in for at least six minutes.

You may need to have a sleep study. During a sleep study, a set of electrodes and sensors are attached to various parts of your body while you sleep. These measure a range of things including oxygen saturation, movement, changes in heart rate and breathing.

Some sleep studies are conducted at your home. In this case, you will only need to come into hospital to be fitted with the equipment before being sent home to sleep in your own bed.

Other sleep studies are conducted in hospital. You will receive a letter telling you what you need to bring with you for this kind of study.

Open Access Sleep Study

You may be eligible to have a sleep study before you see one of our sleep physicians. If we think you might be eligible, we’ll send you a letter with a survey you’ll need to complete and return to us.

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy

You may be prescribed Positive airway pressure (PAP) to treat obstructive sleep apnoea (where you have difficulty or stop breathing while sleeping).

A PAP machine works by gently blowing pressurized air through your airway at a pressure high enough to keep the throat open.

What to bring to your appointment

• Medicare card
• Any letters or correspondence from your GP
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• Medicines you need to take while you are here
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Reading glasses (if required)

Where we’re located

• Consultant Clinics, Building 1, Level 2 (ground floor) and Building 1, Level 8, Canberra Hospital
• Sleep Laboratory, Building 1, Level 6, Canberra Hospital.

We have directions to Canberra Hospital.

Resources

https://www.sleepoz.org.au/

https://lungfoundation.com.au/news/getting-the-right-diagnosis-through-lung-function-tests/

Additional Information

Our staff:

• Dr John Nicholls (Unit Director)
• Dr Carol Huang (Sleep Service lead)
• Dr Rosianna Wee (Sleep Consultant)