Dissertation
Untreated Sleep Apnea in Adult Patients with Mental Illness
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Chronic poor sleep poses significant public health risks, with rising sleep apnea rates linked to obesity, mental health issues, and other medical conditions in the United States. Individuals with untreated obstructive sleep apnea often experience daytime fatigue from disrupted sleep and low oxygen levels, leading to mood irritability, anxiety, and worsened depression. Identifying sleep apnea is crucial for addressing these challenges.Purpose: Implement a standardized intake process for new adult patients at the outpatient behavioral health clinic (OPBH) by utilizing the STOP-BANG screener. This project aims to incorporate screening new adults for OSA. Three total goals are set for this project: Staff education for project and the prevalence of OSA. Implement the STOP-BANG screener for all new patients seen 9/1/2024 through 01/31/2025 and monitor for any patient referrals resulting from elevated screening. Method: This project, which was approved by the Internal Review Board in April 2023 as a non-human subject study, employed descriptive statistics to analyze survey and screening data collected at a mental health clinic located within a safety-net hospital. Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project underscores the crucial role of nurses in driving transformational change and emphasizes their skills in leading healthcare improvements.Findings Out of 104 adults screened for sleep apnea, 43 showed a moderate to high risk, with 30% scoring above 3. This indicates a significant risk of untreated sleep apnea and highlights the project's importance. The mean survey scores yielded a two-tailed T-test alpha value of 0.05, showing statistical significance. However, no referrals were made, indicating areas for improvement.Discussion The project is sustainable and adaptable. The screenings have shown long-term improvements in patients' mental and physical health, supporting the continued use of the screening tool in the clinic. However, further research is needed for patients with more severe mental illnesses.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Untreated Sleep Apnea in Adult Patients with Mental Illness
- Creators
- Susan L Bauer-Wilson - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Daniel Wesemann (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Susan L Bauer-Wilson
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841037302771
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