Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine

Mission Statement

The mission of SASM is to advance standards of care for clinical problems shared by Anesthesiology and Sleep Medicine, including peri-operative management of sleep-disordered breathing. The society aims to promote interdisciplinary communication, education, and research on issues common to both anesthesia and sleep.

Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine

The Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine (SASM) was founded to encourage exploration of the significant overlap between Anesthesiology and Sleep Medicine, especially in regard to the anesthetic and sleep states.

Objectives of the Society:
  • ZEncourage the cross-fertilization of ideas between anesthesiology and sleep medicine.
  • ZPromote clinical and epidemiological studies examining associations between sleep-disordered breathing and perioperative risk.
  • ZExplore methods for minimizing perioperative risk of upper airway obstruction or ventilatory insufficiency.
  • ZInvestigate the use of non-invasive positive airway pressure therapies for preventing or treating perioperative upper airway obstruction or hypoventilation.
  • ZStimulate research into respiratory, neurophysiological, neuropsychological, and neuropharmacological connections between sleep and anesthesia.

Sleep and Anesthesia: The Common Ground

Anesthesia and sleep share multiple physiological and neurological mechanisms. Both involve unconsciousness, muscle relaxation, and upper airway vulnerability. Notable points include:

  • ZIndividuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often have difficult airways during anesthesia, and vice versa.
  • ZHypoventilation during sleep in certain individuals may predict anesthetic and postoperative breathing issues.
  • ZUnderstanding the shared mechanisms of unconsciousness helps us understand anesthesia itself.
  • ZSleepiness can reduce anesthetic needs; nighttime procedures may require less anesthesia.
  • ZThough anesthesia has some restorative effects, sleep deprivation after surgery is common and may hinder recovery.
These parallels deserve further research and understanding.

SASM’s Commitment to Racial Justice

These are challenging times. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation continues to face the impact of ongoing social injustices, highlighted by the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and others. These events have underscored the systemic issues of racism, inequality, and injustice that affect us all.

SASM firmly condemns all forms of discrimination. We celebrate the diversity of our community—across leadership, staff, members, and patients—and commit to fostering inclusivity and mutual respect.

Racism is a public health crisis. SASM board members are personally and professionally dedicated to addressing structural racism and the health disparities it causes. Silence is not an option—we all share the responsibility to drive change and support equity in our communities.