Obstructive sleep apnea screening during commercial driver medical examinations: a survey of ACOEM members.

Abstract

To survey American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) members regarding recent consensus guidelines for screening commercial drivers for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A brief survey instrument was distributed electronically by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to its members during February 2008 to April 2008. Most (92%) of the 552 examiners opined that screening commercial drivers for OSA was important. Nevertheless, only 42% reported screening using consensus guidelines or another specific protocol. Common reasons for not applying the guidelines included unaware (36%), too complicated (12%), client retention (10%), and driver inconvenience (10%). Most would consider using the guidelines going forward but 39% wanted additional evidence and another 21% only if they became the "community standard." More education regarding OSA and drivers is needed. A Federal mandate and eliminating "doctor shopping" would likely increase examiners' compliance with screening.