Creating a Safer Perioperative Environment With an Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening Tool

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition that increases the risk of complications for patients undergoing sedation and/or general anesthesia. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to promote evidence-based practice for nurses to screen patients with OSA in the perioperative setting. A step-by-step team process was implemented using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice in a shared leadership environment at an acute care facility to educate staff and evaluate the practice change. A pilot project reviewed patient data pre- and post-implementation of an OSA screening tool, which revealed evidence of safer patient care. As a result of incorporating an OSA assessment, patient advocacy and a safer perioperative environment was created.