| Title: | The Role of a Virtual Sleep Clinic in Reducing Sleep Waiting times in a Tertiary Referral Centre |
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| Author(s): | E. Cronin C Campbell D O Connor T Kane R Costello I Sulaiman |
| Institution: | Beaumont Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Sleep |
| Abstract: | In 2020 the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 lead to restructuring of many respiratory services, with a consequent increase in waiting times. In response to this, a virtual sleep clinic was formed at our centre. Triaged referrals were sent directly for sleep studies, if diagnostic for moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a phone call and commencement of treatment followed. After three months of treatment, following virtual consultation, if the individual was adherent and had a treatment response, they were discharged to community follow-up. We analysed data from patients referred to the sleep service between 2016 and 2020. We compared waiting list times, results of limited sleep studies (LSS) as well as time to treatment. In 2020 the mean time to LSS was 7 months, compared to 11, 17 and 22.5 months in 2019, 2018 and 2017 respectively. Also in 2020, the time to result was 3 months, compared to 6.7, 11 and 16 months in 2019, 2018 and 2017. While time to treatment from LSS was 7 months in 2020, compared to 11 months in 2018. Changes in work practices in our hospital, including utilisation of virtual consultations has improved waiting times for the diagnosis and instigation of treatment for OSA. |
