4 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7
5 Tips for Safely Handling
Sleep Apnea Patients
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
Most of your obstructive sleep apnea patients don't even know they have it.
Timothy P. Schmidt, CRNA | St. Petersburg Fla.
• SAFE OUTCOME Sleep apnea, which
is often undiagnosed, increases a
patient's anesthetic risk.
A
s a nurse anesthetist who works in a variety of surgical
settings, from office-based suites to trauma hospitals, I
can expect to encounter at least one patient with
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) almost every day —
either diagnosed or undiagnosed. Interestingly, up to 85%
of people with OSA are undiagnosed, and research indicates that up to
30% of patients undergoing routine endoscopy either have OSA or are
at a high risk for a positive screen. I consider properly handling OSA
one of my top priorities. Here's my 5-point plan designed to make sure
OSA patients have a safe and uneventful perioperative experience.