Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Among Surgical Patients: A Quality Improvement Project.

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 CO, 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.