Treatment at an AASM accredited sleep center improves long-term CPAP ...( WESTCHESTER Ill. Obstructive sleep ...),Health

WESTCHESTER, Ill. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients are more likely to comply with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for longer periods of time if they receive their treatment from a sleep center accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), according to a research abstract that will be presented on Tuesday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Siva Ramachandran, MD, focused on 55 consecutive patients in an AASM accredited sleep center with OSA whose CPAP compliance was less than four hours at their one-month follow-up visit. All subjects were evaluated and counseled by a board certified sleep specialist and a certified respiratory therapist and were educated about OSA. CPAP desensitization and mask fittings were conducted within the center, if indicated, and patients had access to specialized CPAP clinics. All patients were offered follow up with their downloadable compliance card and had open access to their sleep specialist by telephone, e-mail or by clinic visits. There was close collaboration with center staff and DME providers in specialized multidisciplinary CPAP clinics. Patients also had access to a 24 hour CPAP hot line into the center with close tracking of problems within 24 hours. In some patients referring physicians actively collaborated with center physicians to advance optimal use of CPAP.

According to the results, 34 patients (61 percent) were compliant and were followed up for six months. CPAP compliance improved in these patients and more patients availed of mask changes and desensitization in the compliant group. Older age was related to increasing compliance.

This study was unique as it targeted patients with high risk for CPAP failure, in a community setting with resources identified within the center, and was developed in a longitudinal model of patient care, said Dr. Ramachandran. Access to spe
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