Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has been estimated to affect over 25% of the population. Patients with suspected severe SDB can face wait times that exceed the recommended guidelines of four weeks from referral to assessment to see a specialist. This lack of access has sparked an interest in using alternative care providers (ACPs) to assist in the assessment and treatment of patients with severe SDB.
To address this barrier of access the Foothills Medical Centre Sleep Centre has developed a Fast Track clinic in which ACPs, highly trained and qualified respiratory therapists, see patients with suspected SDB under the supervision of a sleep physician. W21C is evaluating the success of the clinic through a randomized controlled study.