A PACU order-based approach to facilitate postoperative decision making for patients with sleep apnea was introduced by the Vancouver Acute Department of Anesthesia in July 2012. The orders prompt anesthesiologists to consider the factors and events associated with higher risk of complications from OSA. Prompts are provided for diagnostic follow-up and for situations where a Respirology consult should be considered. The minimum requirement for extended PACU stay for patients with sleep apnea is also defined. Finally the anesthesiologist is prompted to consider a monitored bed for patients at higher risk. The reverse side of the order sheet has a STOP-Bang scoring table, and a previously published postoperative OSA management diagram.
A flow diagram summarizing the perioperative management of OSA at the Vancouver Acute Department of Anesthesia can be found under our Guidelines section.
to Download the Perioperative OSA Mx Flowchart