Results of the implementation of a specialized office for treatment and monitoring of sleep apnea syndrome

• Published in: Pneumologie
• Main Authors: Soto Hurtado, EJ, Ortíz Navarro, B, Huertas Martínez, J, Cabello Rueda, F, Ruíz Cantero, A
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 09.02.2016
• ISSN: 0934-8387; 1438-8790
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1572110

Objectives: Launch a nursing office at the Hospital to provide facilities for CPAP treatments in order to verify compliance, aimed at long-term non-compliant patients and to respond to patients' concerns. Material and methods: We conducted a descriptive study with 1,095 patients. During 2014 data were collected from newly and previously admitted patients, especially those who did not achieve compliance of 4 hours/night. All patients were reminded what OSA was, its pathophysiology, characteristics CPAP machine, its benefits and the maintenance of equipment. New patients (AHI ≥5 with symptoms) were scheduled for an appointment in the first month to check adaptation and verify good maintenance of the CPAP and consumables. If they did not comply with treatment they returned at the third and sixth month, making changes to improve compliance: interface accessories such as humidifiers, or changes in pressure, always under medical supervision. After they were adapted they were subject to annual maintenance checks. Previous patients who did not achieve adequate performance had an appointment to resolve possible questions, verify proper use and they were scheduled for another appointment every three months until they achieved minimum use of 4 hours/night. Once they achieved this goal they would be subject to annual maintenance checks. Results: There was a total of 117 new CPAP installations, of which 87 (74.35%) patients had correct implementation of ≥4 hours in the first 6 months, 23 (19.65%) were still adapting, with compliance < 4 hours, and 7 (5.98%) were withdrawn due to CPAP intolerance. There was a total of 978 CPAP patients prior to the opening of the nursing office; of the 244 patients who were not meeting the minimum 4 hours/night compliance, 144 patients now exceed the 4 hours, leaving 100 without exceeding 4 hours and undergoing adaptation in the nursing office. Conclusions: The opening of the specialized office shows that the patients who adapt to CPAP is initially higher and it takes less time. In addition, patients with compliance < 4 hours prior to the opening of the office became compliant after. A total of 98.75% of patients (compliant and noncompliant) are pleased by the new office in the hospital and its ability to answer any questions and its availability in the hospital to perform the procedure.