Monthly Sleep Tip - December 2008

CPAP compliance is often described as using the therapy for an average of four hours a night for at least 70 percent of the nights. Here are some suggestions on how you can help patients comply:

Patient Education

• Educated patients feel more confident and will be better equipped to deal with issues that may arise while using PAP therapy.

Desensitization

• Patients who have had time at home to become familiar with their CPAP before their titration study are more comfortable and at ease during their titration study, and are more likely to be compliant. Improving any issues they may have with nasal congestion and helping them with the proper fitting mask is of the utmost importance.

Ongoing Support

• Provide long-term follow up for your OSA patients and inform them of any support groups in their area or on the web.
• Central Utah Clinic Sleep Disorders Center's CPAP Support Groups are held the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m.at the Provo Sleep Lab.
• The website www.sleepapnea.org is a great site to aid in the support of patients.

Ref. AlZzz2001 volume 76 number 3, Mehra R, Golish 1A. Positive pressure therapy in obstructive apnea. In: Lee-Chiang TL, Satiea M, Carskandon MA, editors. Sleep Medidne. Philadelphia: Hanley & Bellus; 2002 p. 397·414. Dushida CA, Uttner MR Hirshkowitz M et al. Practice parameters for the use of continuous and bi/evel positive airway pressure devices to treat adult patients with sleep related breathing disorders. Sleep 2006; 29(3): 375·380.