2006/07 Medical Research - Sleep Health
Cathy Hennessy - Clinical Nurse
Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health
Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia
Team members
Clinical Nurses, Sharn Rowland and Graham Keightley James
Project Team Leader, Cathy, has worked extensively over a number of years in intensive care and operating theatres which has involved managing Bi-level ventilation and CPAP across all age groups. These roles have involved extensive education of both staff and patients.
Project
A trial to compare the effectiveness of nasal CPAP masks with a chinstrap and full face CPAP masks in the control of air leaks.
Long term CPAP therapy is the treatment of choice for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and selection of the correct interface is critical to successful treatment, ensuring patient comfort and compliance. Masks are selected to provide a good comfortable seal. Mouth leaks may be addressed by:
- addition of a chinstrap if using a nasal mask, or
- use of a full face mask
The nasal masks are the preference of most patients and often a chin strap is used to restrict jaw movement and the mouth opening; however its effectiveness is questionable. A full face mask is more effective, but is more expensive.
The aim of this trial is to determine if patient compliance, overall leak measurement and patient comfort are improved with the use of a nasal CPAP mask and chinstrap, compared to a full CPAP mask.
For further information on OSA we invite you to visit the following websites: www.adelaidesleephealth.org.au