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P62 CPAP clinic service improvement initiative: a review of the effectiveness of a remote physiologist

bmjresp · 2025-09-16 · canonical JSON source

6 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Introduction The NHSE, in their ‘Approaches to Addressing Sleep Services Waiting Times’ document highlighted that the increasing wait list and demand for sleep disorder diagnosis and subsequent treatment needs to be addressed (Nathan Hall, 2024). It is imperative that the healthcare science workforce finds innovative ways to enhance staff retention and satisfaction; and methods of coping with backlogs and increasing demand. Technology is already adapting to make remote monitoring possible such as telemonitoring, which is increasingly shown as effective in the management of respiratory support patients (Dusart et al., 2022). The use of remote monitoring technology is encouraged; to maximise service capacity.This study analysed the initiative of a remote physiologist role and its impact on a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) service recovering from a pre-pandemic backlog.Methods In August 2023 a CPAP physiologist was recruited to work from home (located ~80 miles away from the main trust site). Retrospective analysis of data collected between August 2022-July 2023 and August 2023-July 2024 of telephone and remote reviews was conducted.Results Our service audit displayed ( figure 1):A 594% increase in the amount of telephone review conductedA 79% increase in remote reviews conductedCombined, a 196% increase in service capacity (telephone and remote reviews conducted).Conclusion Trusts should consider expanding their capacity for flexible working and remote rolesFurther investigations are needed to consider the long-term implications of a remote physiologist.Qualitative studies/patient surveys are needed to assess patient satisfaction and the effectiveness of remote appointments.Abstract P62 Figure 1References Dusart C, Andre S, Mettay T, Bruyneel M. Telemonitoring for the follow-up of obstructive sleep apnea patients treated with CPAP: accuracy and impact on therapy. Sensors 2022;22:2782. Nathan Hall, D. M. A. 2024. Approaches to Addressing Sleep Services Waiting Times. NHSE.