PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of respiratory depression in surgical patients. This project screened patients for OSA and explored its relationship with respiratory complications. DESIGN: Quality improvement project. METHODS: Neurosurgical patients were preoperatively screened using STOP-Bang questionnaire scores of 5 or greater as high risk and less than 5 as low risk for moderate-to-severe OSA. Postoperative respiratory complications were compared between both OSA groups. Perioperative staff and patient education included an OSA care protocol using STOP-Bang screening. FINDINGS: Of the 161 patients screened, 29.8% scored high risk for OSA, noting elevated end tidal CO2, increased oxygen desaturation, and required pulse oximetry with supplemental oxygen compared with the low-risk group (P < .05). Education improved nurses' awareness of OSA risks by 81%, and 87.5% of patients were satisfied with the OSA care protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The OSA care protocol decreased risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Education is essential for safer perioperative outcomes.
PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of respiratory depression in surgical patients. This project screened patients for OSA and explored its relationship with respiratory complications. DESIGN: Quality improvement project. METHODS: Neurosurgical patients were preoperatively screened using STOP-Bang questionnaire scores of 5 or greater as high risk and less than 5 as low risk for moderate-to-severe OSA. Postoperative respiratory complications were compared between both OSA groups. Perioperative staff and patient education included an OSA care protocol using STOP-Bang screening. FINDINGS: Of the 161 patients screened, 29.8% scored high risk for OSA, noting elevated end tidal CO2, increased oxygen desaturation, and required pulse oximetry with supplemental oxygen compared with the low-risk group (P < .05). Education improved nurses' awareness of OSA risks by 81%, and 87.5% of patients were satisfied with the OSA care protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The OSA care protocol decreased risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Education is essential for safer perioperative outcomes.
Authors: Ryan A Rimmer; Chandala Chitguppi; Glen D'Souza; Marc R Rosen; Gurston G Nyquist; Elina Toskala; James J Evans; Christopher Farrell; Maurits Boon; Colin Huntley; Mindy R Rabinowitz Journal: Allergy Rhinol (Providence) Date: 2020-11-12