Improve safety in patients at risk for sleep apnea

The clinical risks associated with sleep apnea have been documented for a number of years but continue to attract limited attention in the general hospital population. While risk assessment tools have been developed and protocols for management adopted on a relatively routine basis, there is a continued disconnect between identifying at risk, undiagnosed patients in nonsurgical admissions. This article outlines one community hospital's initiative to identify patients at risk for sleep apnea with implementation of safety protocols, patient education and a post-hospitalization referral system to improve the clinical outcome and safety of a population at risk.