Virtual otolaryngologic management of sleep apnea patients: Lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

article

Colin Huntley MD¹  Maurits Boon MD¹  Stacey Ishman MD MPH²  Robson Capasso MD³  Julia Crawford MBBS⁴  Mark A. D'Agostino MD⁵  Paul Hoff MD⁶ 

[1] Thomas Jefferson University Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery;Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati;Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sleep Surgery Division, Stanford University Medical Center;Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney;Southern New England ENT;Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan

关键词: COVID-19;    obstructive sleep apnea;    pandemic;    telemedicine;    virtual;   

DOI  :  10.1002/lio2.562

学科分类：环境科学（综合）

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Objective To discuss the virtual management options and strategies learned during the COVID-19 pandemic for treatment of patients with sleep complaints and sleep disordered breathing presenting to the otolaryngologist. Methods/Results The addition of a virtual evaluation can be beneficial in assessing the patient presenting to the otolaryngologist with sleep complaints. With the implementation of telemedicine, validated subjective assessment tools, and a limited physical exam, patients can be triaged for the need for treatment implementation, further evaluation or testing, and counseled regarding various management options. In this article, we discuss the lessons learned from the authors' collective experience on how to effectively use telemedicine as a tool in the management repertoire for patients with sleep disorders. Conclusion The otolaryngologist will commonly see patients with sleep complaints, particularly patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea not able to tolerate conservative therapies. These patients are well suited for virtual evaluation utilizing telemedicine. The technology and workflows which have been developed during the COVID-19 pandemic can be carried forward for select patients to improve access and efficiency of care. Level of evidence: 5.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC-ND