A patient with obstructive sleep apnea carries additional pre and post op risks, particularly the possibility of cardiac stress if breathing stops while medicated but not intubated. Smart orthopedic surgeon.
Do you have any idea where I can find info for the doctors. I've talked to a couple of docs but they don't see the point
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, was trying to find info on the topic. I did read some articles and it seems anesthesiologists in some facilities are screening patients for possible sleep apnea as some studies show patients with it have a shorter recovery with fewer complications if cpap is used postop. I don't know this site's policy on posting links, but I will say I saw several articles referenced on cpaptalk under the icon of a lightbulb in the topic of CPAP safety. Hope you find enough to make your point.
at the last hospital I worked at they were putting in place a protocol for the RTs to be able to put the hospitals CPAP units on post-op patients who demonstrate sleep apnea. The surgeons (including Ortho) and anesthia are to do pre-op screening to those who may be susceptable to having sleep apnea while under sedation. I've had a few patients come back still groggy enough where they were having sleep apnea. Most of the good Ortho docs should send patients for a pre-op sleep study to see if they will be in danger of having sleep apnea post-operatively. An doctor no matter which field of practice can refer people for a sleep study.