By screening every patient for OSA, we can help them get the treatment they so desperately need.

We can save patients’ lives – Untreated sleep disordered breathing is associated with increased risk of early death

We could prevent patients from early illness – By screening for OSA we may be able to preempt hypertension, cardiovascular events, GERD, and diabetes

We can save relationships – Releasing stress and tension from lack of sleep and bringing couples back in the same room in some cases

There are many different screening tools available. It doesn’t matter which tool you use, but still screen every patient. Not all patients present with the same indicators or symptoms, so it is important to have a consistent and standard screening protocol.  Consider making completing a sleep apnea screening an annual part of updating each patients chart. Here are a few tools to get you started:

• Epworth Sleepiness Scale
• OSA Patient Questionnaire
• OSA Hygiene Screener