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Date of Award
5-8-2013
Degree Type
Restricted Evidence-Based Project Report
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Kristen L. Mauk
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical disorder that involves cessation of breathing during sleep. People who have OSA are at an increased risk for motor vehicle accidents. It is estimated that one in four commercial vehicle drivers (CVDs) have OSA (Smith, 2011). The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if a screening tool affects the accuracy of identification of OSA in CVDs and if its use may provide uniformity in referral for diagnosis. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation and Pender’s Health Behavior Model were used to guide this project. The project occurred at an Occupational Health Clinic that conducts medical certification examinations. Once Internal Review Board approval was obtained, the staff was educated on the use of tool and data collection. All drivers who required medical certification for their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) were administered two questionnaires to assess for risk of OSA during the project time frame. An analysis of the drivers who consented to inclusion in the study identified them as either high or low risk for OSA. A comparison of two tools was conducted. A retrospective collection of data using the Berlin Questionnaire from the previous 60 day period was performed. The clinic previously used the Berlin Questionnaire as their screening tool. This tool for assessing risk of OSA was developed for the primary care population and had not been validated by overnight polysomnogram. The statistics from before and after the initiation of the second tool were evaluated and compared. The frequencies of risk identification were compared. The results that were found by the addition of the STOP-Bang tool to the evaluation indicated that more drivers were identified with high risk for OSA than with the Berlin Questionnaire alone. Both questionnaires are used concurrently in the clinic to identify risk for OSA.
Recommended Citation
Burns, Nadine, "The Effect of an Assessment Tool on the Identification of Obstructive Sleep Apnea" (2013). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 30.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/30
Comments
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