Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Please find the answers to your questions

Pharmacy FAQs

Do I need a consult room?

Whilst we prefer to say yes to give the patient more privacy, we have many stores running the program successfully without a consultation room. The setup of the sleep test device on the patient can be done in an open area in the store as it doesn’t require the patient to lay down on a bed and isn’t exposing in any way. The ongoing consultations with the patient during trial and treatment can also be done in a quiet area of your store – gauge from your customer what they are comfortable with.

What’s my financial commitment for an opening order?

We have a recommended opening order that will ensure your store is set up to test, put patients on CPAP trial and sell machines and masks. We’re able to adjust the opening order to suit your store needs so please contact us to discuss how the Pharmacy Sleep Services program could work in your store.

How long does an initial consultation take?

To screen a patient and set them up with the home sleep test takes approx. 15-30 minutes depending on the patients questions or concerns. Please visit the patient journey and see a step by step guide on the time and process involved in diagnosing and treating a patient.

What makes the program a success?

We find our top performing stores are those who are actively engaging their customers about their sleep health. They screen for patients at risk of sleep apnoea through their prescriptions (58% of people with Type 2 diabetes have sleep apnoea, 85% of people on blood pressure medication have sleep apnoea), in-store behavior (customer showing sleep apnoea behaviors e.g. yawning, complaining of always feeling tired, interest in sleep products on display e.g. snoring strips) or actively asking how well they are sleeping. The success of your sleep apnoea business will mean allowing time for patient appointments, ongoing training and organisation of the program. Successful stores have a dedicated Sleep Apnoea Consultant within their store. This consultant can be an existing staff member that has a genuine interest in sleep services and enjoys having 1-1 conversations with customers. The consultant will screen for patients and manages the entire program. Please visit pharmacy experience to see the steps to run a successful program.

What support does Pharmacy Sleep services provide me after I receive the opening order?

Pharmacy Sleep Services gives you all the tools you need to identify, screen, diagnose, treat and sell to patients with OSA. We provide you with an initial full day training workshop so you and your staff are confident running the program.  We have an online portal with training modules, product guides and a marketing hub.  We provide you a suite of POS materials for your store so you can let customers know you offer sleep services and we also provide you and your staff a dedicated PSS representative who regularly visits your store and is consistently available to contact. You’re never alone.

How much space do I need to dedicate for a display?

This all depends on your size and format of store. The more space you can allocate for a display will help drive greater awareness and interest into the program. The POS materials Pharmacy Sleep Services provides you help engage your customers in–store by promoting the signs and symptoms associated with sleep apnoea. Our successful stores have multiple displays in-store (gondola ends, wall bays, windows). Please visit our pharmacy experience page to see some examples of in-store displays. Your Pharmacy Sleep Services representative will work with you to “dress up” your display to suit your store.

Can a non-Pharmacist champion the program successfully?

Absolutely. Successful stores have a dedicated Sleep Apnoea Consultant within their store. This consultant can be an existing staff member that has a genuine interest in sleep services and enjoys having 1-1 conversations with customers. The consultant will screen for patients and manages the entire program. Please visit our pharmacy experience to see the steps to run a successful program.

Pharmacist

Patient FAQs

Do I need to visit my GP before I can book in for a home sleep test?

No GP referral is required for a pharmacy home sleep test. You can simply book a home sleep test with your pharmacy straight away. Please visit our store locator page to find your local pharmacy running the Pharmacy Sleep Services program.

Does my pharmacy offer a home sleep test?

Please visit our store locator page to find your local pharmacy running the Pharmacy Sleep Services program.

Is the home sleep test safe?

Yes. The device uses the same sensors recommended by the AASM for in-lab studies. The device has 3 sensors (effort belt, cannula and oximeter) and a built-in body position sensor that provide seven channels of data (body position, pressure flow, snore, respiratory effort, SpO2, pleth and pulse rate).

How long do I need to be asleep for?

You should wear the device all night. There needs to be a minimum of 4 hours of sleeping data in order to score your data correctly.

What happens if I wake up/ get up during the home sleep test?

It’s absolutely fine to wake up and get up during the night wearing the home sleep test device. Continue wearing the device. There needs to be a minimum of 4 hours of sleeping data in order to score your data correctly.

How long until I find out my results?

When you drop the home sleep test device back to your pharmacy (or your pharmacy collects your device from you) it takes 7-10 working days for you pharmacy to contact you with your results.

Can I get money from my private health fund for my CPAP equipment?

Each private health fund is different so we recommend contacting your private health fund to find out how much you are eligible for.

Who is analysing my sleep test data?

All sleep tests are sent to a qualified sleep physician for review and scoring.

Why can I get a free test through my GP?

If your GP has recommended a sleep test that you can get for free this is because it is a Level 1 or Level 2 sleep test. These are Medicare funded tests and there are waiting times associated with these levels of testing. A level 1 sleep test requires you to sleep in a sleep lab/ hospital, be monitored all night by a sleep technician and wear a much more invasive sleep test device compared to a level 3 sleep test. Pharmacy Sleep Services provides pharmacies with a Level 3 sleep test device. This sleep test can be done in the comfort of your own home, in your own bed and can be booked in straight away at your local pharmacy. Please visit our diagnosis and testing page for more details on the types of testing available.

Patient

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