Introduction
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) encompassing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) constitute a predominant issue, which is, however, frequently being neglected within the intensive care unit (ICU) setup. As a result, an ICU stay is not a planned procedure, but it is usually emergent. So, there is no screening beforehand for a sleep disorder. However, the problem of SDB untreated, especially in heavily ill patients, can add up to complications in medical conditions. Being the basis for naïve optimism, passionate intensity, and a high degree of certainty, they sometimes lead to self-delusion and adverse outcomes. This essay attempts to recognize the issue of screening patients. At the same time, in the ICU for SDB, discover evidence that supports the health research, implement practice changes that are aimed at improving patients’ care and preventing potential dangers, and evaluate how the healthcare systems and the caregivers benefit.
Synthesis of Research Evidence
Several studies suggest that the incidence of SDB, with its high OSA rate, is between 60% and 70% in innumerable individuals (Gupta et al., 2018). It is worrying to note that SDB, in most cases, is undetected and, therefore, untreated in the ICU par. Several research works revealed the presence of an untreated SDB in patients with critical illnesses, such as cardiovascular instability, lung failure, long hospitalization, and increased mortality rates (Suen et al., 2020). Nevertheless, basic measures, for example, administering oxygen through a face mask or forcing air into the patient’s lungs through a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device, have exhibited a positive trend in respiratory function as well as the flourishing condition of the patient. Admittedly, the traditional gold standard of diagnostic procedures, like polysomnography, may be practically impossible to use in the ICU due to logistical constraints. However, nurse-led screening protocols could be an effective alternative to spotting patients at risk for SDB.
Proposed Practice Change
The set of practice changes, such as the systematic nurse-led screening of SDB, can be one of the implementation ideas to tackle the problem of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of SDB among patients in the ICU who have these symptoms. Such identification could employ validated checks such as the STOP-Bang questionnaire or the Berlin Questionnaire, which have demonstrated effectiveness in identifying black patients with a possibility of SDB. Nurses could implement this screening tactic, administering tools during routine assessments and catch work for patients suspected to have sleep disruption disorders (Suen et al., 2020). Also, the education and training programs will be used to teach the ICU staff the methods of identifying and initiating the necessary interventions in patients with the symptoms of SDB (Wijata et al., 2022).
Impact on Key Stakeholders
The advocate proclaimed numerous positive implications of the proposed practice change alteration on the strategic groups that play a role in patient treatment and care. Patients are undoubtedly the ones who will significantly benefit if SDB is identified and managed early on, as it will mean improved respiratory functions, better sleep quality, and lower chances of complications. SDB interventions would be enhanced by the providers’ better health education and the standardized outlining of the screening protocols. Timely interventions and increased care would be possible. Hospital administrators would be able to see savings on SDB-related complications as there is an improvement in the quality of health care provided by a satisfied patient; for instance, patients spend less time in the ICU and have low rates of readmissions (Wijata et al., 2022). Eventually, referee-led screening for sleep breathing disorders in ICU hospitalized patients might improve patient outcomes, optimize resource use, and foster an ambient where pro-patient care is promoted.
Conclusion
Finally, ICU patients who are screened for SDB are an important outcome focused on the scale of quality of care and safety. You can achieve this by integrating research results and then recommending strategies for Screening protocols based on a nurse and other health care providers in the vital care units. This way, you can ensure that SDB is not underdiagnosed and ill-treated. While some of these changes will entail a transition period, recognition of the fact that making those changes is necessary brings the potential for improvement in the outcomes of patients, utilization of resources, and patient-centered approach to care in the ICU setting.
References
Gupta, A., Quan, S. F., Oldenburg, O., Malhotra, A., & Sharma, S. (2018). Sleep-disordered breathing in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure: a concise review and proposed algorithm. Heart failure reviews23, 701-709.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6192673/
Suen, C., Wong, J., Ryan, C. M., Goh, S., Got, T., Chaudhry, R., … & Chung, F. (2020). Prevalence of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea among patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease and associated in-hospital outcomes: a scoping review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), 989.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/4/989
Wijata, A., Wydeheft, L., Janiak, M., Fronc, K., & Kędziora-Kornatowska, K. (2022). The effect of obstructive sleep apnea on the cardiovascular system. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 12(6), 39-50.https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/download/38110/32071
write