0576 Patient Perception of Sleep Medicine During Hospitalization and Treatment of Diagnosed Sleep Apnea

Abstract Introduction Screening for sleep apnea among hospitalized patients has been shown to help practitioners identify sleep apnea and improve patients’ outcome. Patient perception of this intervention from the sleep medicine team has never been examined in a hospital setting. In this study, we examined the attitudes patients held about their diagnosis of sleep apnea and the team working with them. Methods Between June 2023 and November 2023, 152 consecutive patients, screened for sleep apnea, went through a sleep study. A carefully designed questionnaire was adapted from the validated Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire. The survey was intended to understand patients’ beliefs on the importance of sleep apnea and their perception of the sleep medicine service. One question was designed to determine the patients’ confidence with using the CPAP therapy. The responses were then analyzed. Results Of the 152 patients interviewed, the mean age was 60 years (15) and 59% were female. The average BMI for these patients was 39.2 (20.5). 76% (n=115) mentioned they were aware of sleep apnea before the sleep medicine team’s assessment. On a 5-point scale, 87% of patients ranked at least “3” (important) for the importance of knowing whether they had sleep apnea. Of the subset of patients (n=26) who were prescribed CPAP therapy in the hospital, 63% indicated they at least “agreed” (3 on 5-point scale) with confidence on their ability to use a CPAP device at home. Conclusion Our analyses signify most hospitalized patients who underwent sleep apnea screening and evaluation perceived sleep apnea is an important condition and exhibit a constructive attitude towards the sleep medicine team and CPAP therapy. Moreover, a significant number were aware of the condition among their immediate family and community. With patient education and guidance provided by the sleep medicine team, the patients developed a constructive understanding of their diagnosis and how to manage OSA using CPAP therapy. Thus, this study suggests that hospitalized patient’s knowledge of OSA is high, and patients are receptive to pro-active work up. Support (if any)