Promoting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence among Residents in a Subacute Rehabilitation Center through Policy Revision and Health Care Provider Education

Abstract

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep disordered breathing in the United States with an estimated 25 million adults having moderate to severe OSA. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for OSA and has proven beneficial in decreasing comorbid hypertension and cardiovascular disease, while reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and providing cardio-metabolic protection. Benefits of CPAP therapy to treat OSA can be severely limited due to poor adherence and varied usage. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop an updated evidencebased policy on proper CPAP usage and adherence for older adult residents in a subacute rehabilitation center (SARC) located in Western New York (WNY) accompanied by a health care provider focused PowerPoint presentation in-service outlining key points of the revised policy, the pathophysiology behind OSA, the rationale for CPAP use for OSA among older adults, and common adverse health consequences for older adult CPAP non-adherence. The project aim was to promote resident quality of life by promoting resident CPAP adherence and increasing health care provider awareness regarding the importance of resident CPAP adherence. The theoretical framework guiding this project was Peplau’s theory of Interpersonal Relations in Nursing.