Electronic health record cue identifies epilepsy patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea

BackgroundPrior studies have reported that patients with epilepsy have a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that contributes to poor seizure control. Detection and treatment of OSA can improve seizure control in some patients with epilepsy. In this study, we sought to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic health record (EHR) alert to screen for OSA in patients with epilepsy.MethodsA 3-month retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients with epilepsy >18 years of age who were evaluated in our epilepsy clinics prior to the intervention. An assessment for obstructive sleep apnea (AOSA) consisting of 12 recognized risk factors for OSA was subsequently developed and embedded in the EHR. The AOSA was utilized for a 3-month period. Patients identified with 2 or more risk factors were referred for polysomnography. A comparison was made to determine if there was a difference in the number of patients at risk for OSA detected and referred for polysomnography with and without an EHR alert to screen for OSA.ResultsThere was a significant increase in OSA patient recognition. Prior to the EHR alert, 25/346 (7.23%) patients with epilepsy were referred for a polysomnography. Postintervention, 405/414 patients were screened using an EHR alert for AOSA and 134/405 (33.1%) were referred for polysomnography (p < 0.001).ConclusionAn intervention with AOSA cued in the EHR demonstrated markedly improved identification of epilepsy patients at risk for OSA and referral for polysomnography.

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420 Evaluating the Rate of Referral for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Pre-Doctoral Dental Clinic Using the STOP-Bang Questionnaire

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.419 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A166-A166

Author(s):

Nathan Guess ◽

Henry Fischbach ◽

Andy Ni ◽

Allen Firestone

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

High Risk ◽

Electronic Health Record ◽

Health Record ◽

Dental Clinic ◽

Neck Size ◽

Previous Diagnosis ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Electronic Health

Abstract Introduction The STOP-Bang Questionnaire is a validated instrument to assess an individual’s risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The prevalence of OSA is estimated at 20% in the US with only 20% of those individuals properly diagnosed. Dentists are being asked to screen and refer patients at high risk for OSA for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients in a dental school student clinic who were identified as high-risk for OSA, were referred for evaluation of OSA. Methods All new patients over the age of 18 admitted to The Ohio State University - College of Dentistry complete an “Adult Medical History Form”. Included in this study were 21,312 patients admitted between July 2017 and March 2020. Data were extracted from the history form to determine the STOP-Bang Score for all patients: age, sex, BMI, self-reported snoring-, stopped breathing/choking/gasping while sleeping-, high blood pressure-, neck size over 17” (males) or 16” (females)-, and tiredness. Each positive response is a point, for a maximum of 8 points possible. Additionally, any previous diagnosis of sleep apnea, and the patient’s history of referrals were extracted from the health record. According to clinic policy, if the patient did not have a previous diagnosis for OSA noted in the health history, and scored 5 or more on the STOP-Bang Questionnaire, they should receive a referral for an evaluation for OSA. Notes and referral forms were reviewed to determine if the appropriate referrals occurred for patients at high risk without a previous diagnosis. Results Of the 21,312 patients screened; 1098 (5.2%) screened high-risk for OSA, of which 398 had no previous diagnosis of OSA. Of these 398 patients, none (0%) had referrals for further evaluation for OSA. Conclusion The rate of appropriate referrals from a student dental clinic with an electronic health record was unacceptably low. Continued education and changes to the electronic health record are needed to ensure those at high-risk for OSA are appropriately referred and managed. Support (if any):

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