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

Author Department

Neurology; Medicine

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

8-2025

Abstract

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 recommendations statement is assigned a strength ("Strong" or "Conditional"). A "Strong" recommendation (i.e., "We recommend…") is one that clinicians should follow under most circumstances. A "conditional" recommendation (i.e., "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.

1. For medically hospitalized adults at increased risk for OSA, the AASM suggests in-hospital screening for OSA as part of an evaluation and management pathway that incorporates diagnosis and treatment with positive airway pressure rather than no in-hospital screening. (Conditional recommendation, low certainty of evidence).

Remarks: Screening may include validated questionnaires and/or screening with overnight high-resolution pulse oximetry (HRPO). When considering in-hospital screening as part of a management pathway, 1) patients who place a lower value on the potential reduction of clinically meaningful outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular events) and place a higher value on the possible downsides associated with the use of positive airway pressure (PAP) (e.g., sleep disruption, discomfort), or 2) clinicians who perceive that the diagnosis or management of OSA may interfere with medical care, would reasonably decline OSA screening or PAP during the hospitalization. High risk for OSA is defined by signs and symptoms that suggest moderate to severe OSA (e.g., excessive daytime somnolence + 2 of the following: diagnosed hypertension; habitual loud snoring; witnessed apnea, gasping, or choking and/or association of high-risk comorbidities as outlined in the Figure 1 caption). Diagnostic testing for OSA should ideally be conducted after a patient has been medically stabilized during the hospital stay or post-discharge.

2. For medically hospitalized adults with an established diagnosis of moderate-to-severe OSA and not currently on treatment, the AASM suggests the use of inpatient treatment with positive airway pressure rather than no positive airway pressure. (Conditional recommendation, low certainty of evidence).

Remarks: When considering in-hospital OSA treatment, 1) patients who place a lower value on the potential reduction of clinically meaningful outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular events) and place a higher value on the possible downsides associated with the use of PAP (e.g., sleep disruption, discomfort), or 2) clinicians who perceive that the diagnosis or management of OSA may interfere with medical care, would reasonably decline OSA screening or PAP during the hospitalization.

3. For medically hospitalized adults at increased risk for or with an established diagnosis of OSA, the AASM suggests that sleep medicine consultation be available as part of an evaluation and management pathway, rather than no sleep medicine consultation. (Conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence).

Remarks: It is recognized that there will be variability of the availability of hospital-based expertise and resources specific to sleep medicine consultation; therefore, we provide specific guidance as follows. Oversight by a board-certified sleep medicine clinician and/or an AASM-accredited sleep center is preferable. However, elements of this consultation including education and follow-up plan can be provided by those with requisite expertise including advanced practitioners, nurses, sleep technologists, respiratory therapists, care coordinators, case managers, health educators, or other available resource personnel. Given the variability of expertise and resources available, creative consultation models of care such as teleconsult/telehealth, E-consult and/or nursing or respiratory therapist care can be considered. Availability of inpatient diagnostics and treatment as part of the consultation should be taken into consideration in terms of feasibility of implementation of this recommendation.

4. For medically hospitalized adults at increased risk for or with an established diagnosis of OSA, the AASM suggests a discharge management plan to ensure timely diagnosis and effective management of OSA, rather than no plan. (Conditional recommendation, very low certainty of evidence).

Remarks: Consider ordering post-discharge testing or sleep medicine evaluation prior to discharge. Inpatient sleep testing prior to discharge and/or telehealth medicine may be an option to reduce barriers to care. Consider care coordination to ensure appropriate follow-up and post-discharge care.

Keywords: OSA; PAP; hospital; inpatient; obstructive sleep apnea; positive airway pressure; sleep-disordered breathing.

PMID

40838698

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