Evaluation and management of OSA in adults hospitalized for medical care: an AASM clinical practice guideline

Evaluation and management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults hospitalized for medical care: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline

Introduction: The purpose of this guideline is to establish clinical practice recommendations for the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in medically hospitalized adults.

Methods: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) commissioned a task force of experts in sleep medicine to develop recommendations and assign strengths based on a systematic review of the literature and an assessment of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. The task force provided a summary of the relevant literature and the certainty of evidence, the balance of benefits and harms, patient values and preferences, and resource use considerations that support the recommendations. The AASM Board of Directors approved the final recommendations.

Good Practice Statement: The following Good Practice Statement is based on expert consensus, and its implementation is necessary for the appropriate and effective management of hospitalized adults with sleep-disordered breathing: For medically hospitalized adults with an established diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing and on active treatment, existing treatment should be continued rather than withheld, unless contraindicated.

Recommendations: The following recommendations are intended as a guide for clinicians in managing medically hospitalized adults with OSA. Each recommendation statement is assigned a strength (“Strong” or “Conditional”). A “Strong” recommendation (ie, “We recommend…”) is one that clinicians should follow under most circumstances. A “Conditional” recommendation (ie, “We suggest…”) is one that requires that the clinician use clinical knowledge and experience and strongly consider the patient’s values and preferences to determine the best course of action.


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