OSE_1212_part2_Layout 1 12/5/12 9:51 AM Page 92
C H A L L E N G I N G
I N T U B A T I O N S
PRE-OPERATIVE SCREENING
Root Out OSA With STOP-BANG
Ask these questions to determine whether patients may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, whether they've been diagnosed or not.
S = Snoring. Do you snore loudly — louder than talking or loud enough to be
heard through closed doors?
T = Tiredness. Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime?
O = Observed apnea. Has anyone observed your stopping breathing during
your sleep?
P = Pressure. Are you being treated for high blood pressure?
B = BMI > 35
A = Age > 50 years
N = Neck circumference > 40cm
G = Male gender
• Moderate-to-severe OSA: 6 or more questions answered "yes"
— Girish P. Joshi, MBBS, MD, FFARCSI
9 2
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | D E C E M B E R 2012
