Clinical Audit of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Case Study in Sleep Disorders

Background: Clinical audit (CA) is a standard method for improving the quality of health service. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the CA status of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) clinical services at the sleep disorders research center of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Iran. Methods: The current research was conducted on ۹۱ patients with OSA records in ۲۰۱۹ - ۲۰۲۰. The CA steps were performed, and the data extracted from the checklist were described using SPSS software version ۱۶. Results: The age average of the patientswas۵۰.۱۰ (standard deviation=۱۳.۱۶), rangingfrom۱۶ to ۷۶ years. The services were provided to all patients (۱۰۰%) based on indicators such as training in a healthy lifestyle related to OSA (weight control, not drinking alcohol, and sleep health behaviors) and appropriate prescribing of medications and devices, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP). Follow-up on prescribing CPAP and BiPAP devices, informing patients about the frequency of possible surgeries, and follow-up treatment were weak indicators and did not follow the standards. Conclusions: Based on the results, the treatment follow-up indicators of OSA patients are not in compliance with the standards, and attention must be paid to these indicators in providing clinical services to OSA patients in western Iran.

Keywords:

Clinical Audit , Sleep Apnea , Therapy