Using the Electronic Medical Record to Improve Preoperative Identification of Patients at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder found in surgical patients and associated with complications in the postoperative period. The implementation of a preoperative universal screening process using the STOP-BANG questionnaire to identify patients at high risk for OSA provides opportunities for improved management. Design: A pre-post design was used to evaluate screening compliance rates. Methods: This initiative included staff education, which included the process for evaluating and documenting STOP-BANG scores. The data were collected via a chart review of the electronic medical record (EMR). Findings: The rate of screening for OSA doubled after implementation of this initiative, and compliance with STOP-BANG questionnaire screening was 66.1%. High-risk designation in the EMR was 73.0%. Nearly half of the patients screened were found to be at high risk for OSA. Conclusions: Implementation of a universal screening initiative for patients and design for the EMR improves compliance with screening and identification of patients at high risk for OSA.