An Evaluation of Perioperative Care for the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient at an Ambulatory Surgery Center

In the perioperative setting, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may result in difficult airway management and postoperative complications, necessitating reduced benzodiazepine and opioid dosages. Because many patients with OSA are not formally diagnosed, risk identification is vital to improve perioperative care and can be achieved with the STOP-BANG questionnaire. This scholarly project examined current care practices for benzodiazepine and opioid administration to perioperative patients with a high-risk of OSA to aid in formulating future best practice recommendations. The guiding PICOT question was: In adult patients ages 40 to 60, who underwent surgical procedures in an ambulatory surgery center, does a STOP-BANG score ≥ 3, compared to STOP-BANG score < 3, result in a reduced dose of benzodiazepines and opioids administered perioperatively during the time frame of May 2024 to June 2024?
This quality improvement project occurred at an ambulatory surgery center. Data were collected via a retrospective chart review of 100 charts, 53 with a STOP-BANG score ≥ 3 and 47 with a STOP-BANG score < 3. Descriptive statistics were conducted for sample demographics. T-tests were used to compare the two groups. No statistically significant differences were noted in the amount of benzodiazepines or opioids administered between the two groups. Clinically, this is a significant finding as it shows there may be room for education and increased awareness on the effects of these medications on high-risk OSA patients. Limitations included convenience sampling, missing data in the electronic health record, and lack of variety in surgical cases. Recommendations include education and guideline implementation at this ambulatory surgery center.