Authors (including presenting author) :
NG CN (1), TO WHZ (1), CHAN MY (1), TSUI KC (1), HUI SC (1), SUM, YS (1), Li FC (1) ,Abdullah V (1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, United Christian Hospital, Kowloon East Cluster
(2) Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Introduction :
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the most common sleep disorders. The gold standard for diagnosis is in-hospital overnight polysomnography (PSG). However, in-lab PSG is manpower demanding procedure and its availability also limited by hospital condition. In the past period, in-lab sleep service in United Christian Hospital had been suspended over a year due to COVID-19 condition. The overall waiting time had been extended to more than 3 years.
In viewing of the long waiting time and limited availability of in-Lab PSG, ambulatory home study provides a preliminary evaluation with high probability of OSA. It is an alternation for diagnosis for patient with high OSA risks and without other suspected sleep disorder.
Objectives :
The objective of this project is to investigate how the ambulatory home sleep study can improve the long waiting condition of in-lab polysomnography (PSG) and shorten the time of patient been diagnosis and receive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Methodology :
Patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea are secured to the investigation in Kowloon East Cluster under Hong Kong Hospital Authority after obtained written consent. Patient under current PSG waiting list will also screen by nurse and recruited to the study if they are fit for the recruitment criteria. Patients are scheduled to conduct an ambulatory home study. Questionnaire (Epworth Sleepiness Scale & STOP-BANG) regarding the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea will also attach and documented. Report will be forwarded to Out-patient clinic for medical consultation.
Inclusion criteria
1. Suspected obstructive sleep apnea
2. Age >= 18
3. Using CPAP well
4. Post op 3rd PSG above without further surgical planning
Result & Outcome :
The total pending case of in lab PSG was 500 at 7/2022. There were 150 cases migrated to Home Sleep Study. Total waiting time of in lab PSG was shorten from 3.47 years to 2.4 years. After the migration, the waiting time of Home Sleep test was extended from 10 months to 2 years.
Home Sleep Study help shorten the in-Lab PSG waiting time. Home sleep study maintain better stability of service even in COVID period.
