Improved Sleep Study Referral Process Through EpicCare Link: Streamlined Ordering and Faster Patient Access

Seattle Children’s state-of-the-art Sleep Center, located in Bellevue in the Overlake Medical Pavilion, is the largest and premier pediatric sleep center in the region. The center is equipped with the latest sleep medicine technology and designed with families in mind. After listening to feedback from our community partners, the Sleep Medicine team has made changes to improve the sleep study referral process.

What’s changing?

Beginning November 1, providers who use EpicCare Link will no longer receive a FaxBack after referring their patient to the Sleep Center. Instead, providers will now have the ability to directly place the sleep-related order or referral for their patients’ needs within EpicCare Link. Providers who place referrals outside of EpicCare Link will still get a FaxBack.

What are the different order options?

After typing “Sleep” in the EpicCare Link orders search bar, two streamlined options will be available:

• Sleep Medicine Referral: For patients <17.5 years old with any sleep issue needing evaluation by a sleep medicine provider. This pathway ensures patients get a comprehensive evaluation prior to any additional testing or intervention.
• Sleep Study Order: For typically developing patients aged 5 to 17.5 years who are not currently on oxygen or positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, this option provides direct access to a sleep study without needing a sleep medicine clinic visit.

After scheduling a sleep study, families who have a Seattle Children’s MyChart account will automatically be enrolled in the Sleep Study Care Plan (included in the sleep study order set on EpicCare Link). The Sleep Study Care Plan allows families to receive patient education through MyChart on what to expect and how to prepare for the sleep study.

The sleep study order also automatically includes a follow-up visit with Seattle Children’s Sleep Medicine Clinic to review the results. If you would rather review your patient’s sleep study results in your own clinic, deselect the follow-up option when placing this order in EpicCare Link.

What if my patient doesn’t fit these criteria?

For patients who are under 5 years old, not typically developing or already on oxygen or PAP therapy, a Sleep Medicine clinic visit is required. Please place a referral to Sleep Medicine, not a sleep study order.

For patients who require time-sensitive management, place an urgent referral by selecting the urgent box in the referral, and a sleep medicine provider will help facilitate faster testing during the visit. Most urgent visits can be seen within 2 weeks. You can also place an eConsult to review a patient’s case within three business days.

These changes mean less paperwork and shorter wait times and ensure community providers can easily access the exact order their patient needs, right from EpicCare Link. This improvement also means patients have faster access to care by avoiding the delays caused by the FaxBack loop.

For more information: Visit the Sleep Medicine refer a patient page to learn more, and visit the eConsults page for information on signing up for EpicCare Link.