About the Sleep Disorders Clinic
Sleep disorders can be as serious as any other illness. They can also be a symptom of, or a substantial trigger for, mental illness. Poor or disrupted sleep can significantly interfere with our lives. Sleep disorders are also often mistaken for mental illnesses, or vice versa.
The Sleep Disorders Clinic at The Royal offers clinical expertise in the relationship between sleep and mental illness and the specific sleep issues associated with mental illness. This expertise is typically not available at other sleep clinics.
Referrals can be made by your family doctor or other primary care physician.
Eligibility
Anyone with sleep issues can access the Sleep Disorders Clinic with a referral from a general practitioner. If you think you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, our Conditions & Disorders Glossary may help you identify which one.
Keeping a Sleep Journal can also help identify issues with your sleep and may be helpful when speaking to your doctor about a referral or preparing for your sleep consultation at The Royal.
Treatments
Our facilities include a state-of-the-art sleep lab where we collect and analyze data on patients’ sleep using a polysomnogram (overnight sleep study). Our psychiatrists, respirologists and neurologists who specialize in sleep medicine then make recommendations for treatment based on your results.
Treatments may include medication, behavioural therapy, better sleep habits, psychiatric treatment to address underlying mental illness (such as mood disorders or PTSD), or referral to different treatments for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Referrals
Access to the Sleep Disorders Clinic requires a referral from a general practitioner (often a family doctor or walk-in clinic). Referring doctors can refer individuals using the sleep study consultation form. Forms must be faxed to (613) 798-2980.
Coming to the Sleep Clinic
The Sleep Clinic’s overnight lab is located at our Ottawa campus. It includes six bedrooms staffed by sleep technologists. Each patient has their own room.
To get there, take the elevators to the 3rd floor. Exit the elevators to your right and follow the sheep stickers on the floor to room 3127.
An overnight sleep study requires preparation. Review the steps below to understand every stage of your overnight test.
- Do not nap during the day before your test.
- No caffeine or alcohol after 12PM.
- If you have facial hair, please shave any stubble before your test. Beards are ok.
- No make-up or moisturizer on your face or legs.
- No nail polish or artificial nails (index fingers only).
What to bring
- Sleep attire: Should be comfortable and loose-fitting (pajamas, shorts and a t-shirt, nightgown). No one-piece pajamas. We recommend you sleep with a shirt on. Respiratory bands are placed over your chest and abdomen to collect readings and they can be uncomfortable when placed directly against bare skin.
- Something to read or do: Technologists will attach monitoring equipment to you shortly after you arrive, but you do not have to go to sleep right away. You are free to read or relax in your room before sleeping.
- A drink and/or snack: Optional—no caffeine.
- Medication: Take all medication as normal unless directed otherwise by your doctor. If a sleep specialist prescribed medication for the test, bring it to take.
- Tubing and mask if you use a CPAP machine: Also, any accessories you typically use, such as a hose suspension system. We do NOT need your machine.
- Toiletries: If you wish to shower, we have facilities onsite. Towels are provided. Unscented products only—The Royal has a no scents policy.
What not to bring
- Linens: The Sleep Disorders Clinic provides linens to align with The Royal’s Health and Safety Precautions. Extra pillows and blankets are available. Outside linens and pillows are not permitted in the sleep area and will be held for you until morning.
- Cigarettes or vapes: Smoking is not permitted.
- Scented products: The Royal has a no scents policy.
- Please arrive on time. Late arrivals affect all tests taking place that night.
- Arrive at your specified time only. If you arrive too early, you will simply have a longer wait.
- Paid parking is available at the main entrance.
- Come straight to the clinic—you do not need to check in anywhere else.
- Once you are in your room, the technologist will attach and explain the equipment. This set-up is painless and takes about 40 to 50 minutes.
- Some of the equipment will be adhered to your scalp with medical paste. This paste will wash off next day.
- You can sleep in any position you like.
- If you need to use the washroom, press the call button in your room. A technologist will come and unplug your equipment.
- Each room has a camera that records video while you sleep to aid in diagnosis. All video is deleted after data is analyzed unless it is clinically relevant. Should you have video segments that are useful for educational purposes, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
- Wake times are between 6:00 and 6:30 AM. A technologist will remove all equipment. If you are being picked up, please be ready to leave the hospital by 7AM at the latest.
If you cannot make your appointment, please call (613) 722-6521 x 6248.
A fee may be charged for appointments canceled with less than 48 hours notice. We ask that you please provide notice so that we can arrange for someone to take your spot. If you have cold or flu symptoms, please call us as soon as possible to reschedule your test.
Provide feedback on your experience.
If you have completed a sleep study at The Royal's Sleep Clinic, we want your feedback. Please fill out our Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Find a CPAP supplier in Ottawa
There are a number of CPAP suppliers in Ottawa and surrounding area. We have compiled a list of suppliers for patients sourcing equipment.
Treatment made possible by research
Learn how our teams are conducting world-renowned sleep research to advance knowledge and improve treatment.
