What Happens When You Refer: The 7-Day Path From Referral to Findings Note

A clinical brief for referring providers — week 4 of a 4-part July series on undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea.

The reason a good sleep referral stalls is rarely doubt about the diagnosis — it's uncertainty about what happens next, and how long your patient disappears before you hear back. Here's the path, start to finish, so you can refer with confidence.

The 7-day path

You refer — fax a one-page referral or email referrals@chestandsleep.com. One page is plenty.

We reach out to your patient to confirm the visit and answer questions. No prep on your end.

Home sleep apnea test — for an uncomplicated adult with high pretest probability, most patients test in their own bed, not a lab. In-lab study only when it's indicated.

The team reads the study and confirms the AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) — events per hour of sleep that grade severity.

You get a findings note back within about 7 days — diagnosis, severity, and the recommended next step, written for the referring physician.

A couple of things worth knowing

When treatment is warranted, CPAP is first-line, with oral appliances and weight management as adjuncts or alternatives — and we manage adherence so it doesn't land back on your desk. You stay your patient's quarterback; we handle the sleep workup and report.

The bottom line

Ready to send your first one, or want the path walked through live? Refer your patient — or call the office to book a 20-minute clinical briefing for your team.