Running head: EVALUATION OF SLEEP APNEA AND CHRONIC PAIN
Evaluation of Sleep Apnea and Chronic Pain Management
Lauren E. Williams
East Carolina University
1
EVALUATION OF SLEEP APNEA AND CHRONIC PAIN
Final Chair Approval
2
EVALUATION OF SLEEP APNEA AND CHRONIC PAIN
3
Abstract
This paper explores a Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project that focuses on a
quality improvement initiative and addresses chronic pain management with the risk of
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurrence. The practice-based issue was identified in an
outpatient pain management setting where chronic pain was being treated with opioid
medications without a standard in place for screening for potential risk of OSA. In order
to further determine the need for additional evaluation of this topic, a formal literature
review and synthesis of evidence surrounding the topic was conducted. After project
support was obtained, the implementation process began. Participants were screened
over an eight-week period using the STOPBang Questionnaire, a tool for evaluating
OSA, to determine the relative population risk for OSA occurrence. In addition, a set of
recommendations was formulated to offer providers based on screening results. The
project findings were documented and a discussion of the results, as well as the
significance to practice was then determined.
Keywords: chronic pain, opioids, obstructive sleep apnea, STOPBang Questionnaire