Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Staff Educational Program and Protocol

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep breathing disorder. Despite its prevalence, OSA often goes undiagnosed. This can result in negative sequelae. By educating healthcare providers about OSA, screening patients, and altering the plan of care, better outcomes will arise and complications can be minimized. The purpose of this project was to develop an obstructive sleep apnea educational program and protocol based on available current literature for anesthesia providers at a community hospital. The educational project and protocol consisted of an informational PowerPoint, pretest and posttest surveys, an OSA screening tool and identification of a high risk OSA patient by placing a sticker in front of the patient’s chart, management guidelines, and a question and answer period. The overall objective was to improve care for patients who are identified as high risk for OSA. The results of the surveys concluded that the anesthesia providers increased knowledge after the presentation. The educational component of the practice project was useful in increasing providers’ knowledge of OSA and management strategies and in turn was valuable in improving patient care