Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
6-4-2015
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2015
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
sleep apnea, screening, heart failure, protocol, questionnaire
Advisor
Pamela Aselton
DNP Project Chair
Pamela Aselton
DNP Project Member Name
Elizabeth A Henneman
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Richard J Soucier Jr.
Abstract
Background: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) occurs in over half of the estimated 5.1 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with heart failure (HF). Evidence shows that treatment of SDB in this population decreases not only morbidity and mortality rates, but the overall cost burden of the disease as well. The routine use of a sleep apnea screening protocol in the HF population can help identify patients in need of treatment. Methods: A project was conducted at an urban community heart failure clinic to evaluate provider preference of three evidence-based screening tools to be included in the implementation of a comprehensive SDB screening protocol. This project’s long-term goal was to design and implement a SDB protocol for heart failure patients treated at an urban heart failure clinic using the Health Belief Model. Results: Providers chose the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) as the screening questionnaire to be used in the final screening protocol. Conclusion: Ease of use, sensitivity within patient population, and patient-friendly format were cited as the deciding factors for provider choice of the ESS as the preferred screening tool.
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