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Sleep disorders excluding sleep disordered breathing

Sleep disorders excluding sleep disordered breathing

Referrers should use this page when referring patients to public adult respiratory and sleep medicine outpatient services for sleep disorders excluding sleep disordered breathing.
Emergency referral
If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region.
  • Nil
Immediate referral
Orange exclamation mark in triangle: orange alertImmediately contact on-call registrar or service to arrange immediate respiratory assessment (seen within 7 days):
  • Nil

To contact the relevant service, see Clinician Assist WA: Acute Respiratory assessment (external site).
Clinical indications for outpatient referral
If any of these issues are present, refer to outpatient services through the Central Referral Service (CRS).
  • Hypersomnia/excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Cataplexy
  • Parasomnia
  • Sleep related nightmares, hallucinations
  • Sleep related involuntary movements e.g. body jerks, stiffness in arms/legs
  • Sleep paralysis
  • Fatigue
  • Somnambulism
  • Catathrenia
  • Restless sleep syndrome
Mandatory information

Referrals missing 'mandatory information' with no explanation provided may not be accepted by site. If 'mandatory information' is not included, the explanation must be provided in the body of the referral (e.g. patient unable to access test in regional or remote areas or due to financial reason).

This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.
History
  • History of sleep disorder including frequency, duration and severity of symptoms
  • Details of previous treatment and outcome
  • Current medications
  • Any known allergies
  • Relevant past medical history
  • Occupation
Examination
  •  Epworth Sleepiness Scale results
Investigations 
  • FBC
  • Ferritin if suspected/confirmed Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Full report from all previous sleep investigations (if already performed)
Highly desirable
History
  • Nil
Examination
  • Height, weight and BMI
  • Lower limb neurological examination
Investigations
  • U&Es
  • Fasting glucose
  • TSH
  • Vitamin B12
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
Indicative clinical urgency category

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days

  • Unexplained hypersomnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥ 16) not attributed to sleep restriction or environmental factors

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days

  • Suspected or confirmed narcolepsy
  • Suspected or confirmed parasomnia or nocturnal seizures with injury to self or others
  • Suspected or confirmed sleep related movement disorder with injury to self or others
  • Unexplained hypersomnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥ 12) not attributed to inadequate sleep hygiene or environmental factors

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days

  • Suspected or confirmed sleep disorders including chronic insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias or sleep related movement disorders that do not meet criteria for Category 1 or 2 but still require specialist review
Exclusions
  • Nil
Useful information

Clinician resources

Feedback

If you would like to submit feedback on the contents of the Referral Access Criteria, please complete this form.

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