Integrating the STOP-Bang Questionnaire Into the Preanesthetic Assessment at a Military Hospital

Purpose: This quality improvement project integrated the STOP-Bang (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Age, Neck circumference, male Gender) questionnaire into the preanesthetic assessment to identify patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), decrease postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay (LOS), and decrease unanticipated admissions. Design: This is an observational pre/post design and retrospective chart review. Methods: Registered nurses assessed STOP-Bang scores among patients seen in the preanesthesia clinic and documented scores in the electronic health record. After PACU discharge, the electronic health record was reviewed for OSA risk stratification, PACU LOS, and unanticipated admissions. Findings: Forty-eight percent of patients screened were identified as intermediate or high risk. No difference existed between preimplementation and postimplementation PACU times (P =.767). No unanticipated admissions were identified during either period. Conclusions: The STOP-Bang questionnaire increased identification of surgical patients at risk for OSA but did not affect PACU LOS or unanticipated admissions.