TitleScreening for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Stroke Patients at Russell's Hall Hospital: A Clinical Audit
IntroductionObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common comorbidity in stroke patients that can affect recovery and prognosis. Despite recommendations for routine OSA screening in stroke care, the extent of screening practice remains unclear. This audit aimed to evaluate the rate of OSA screening in stroke patients at Russells Hall Hospital.
MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 77 stroke patients admitted in April 2025. Data collection focused on whether patients were screened for OSA during their admission. For those screened, referrals for further investigation were noted.
ResultsOnly 2.6% of the patients were screened for OSA. All patients who underwent screening were appropriately referred for further diagnostic investigations. The low screening rate indicates a significant gap between recommended practice and clinical implementation.
ConclusionOSA screening in stroke patients at Russells Hall Hospital is markedly underperformed. Improving screening rates may enhance patient outcomes by enabling timely diagnosis and management of OSA post-stroke.
Relevance to Clinical Practice or Patient ExperienceIncreasing OSA screening in stroke patients can lead to earlier treatment interventions, potentially reducing stroke recurrence and improving quality of life for this vulnerable population.