The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, an accreditor of more than 6,700 ambulatory sites nationwide, has updated its recommendations for treating surgical patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.
The new toolkit helps equip providers with knowledge on effectively identifying and ensuring the safety of patients with the two conditions throughout the surgical process, from pre-procedure to intra-procedure and post-procedure, according to an Oct. 23 press release sent to Becker's.
The new guidance includes updated considerations for obese patients who previously contracted COVID-19.
New recommendations consider factors such as a patient's body mass index, sedation levels and the presence of any preexisting conditions that might pose surgery-related challenges.
"As obesity continues to rise, health care providers must prioritize the safety and well-being of patients with these pre-existing conditions. Applying established guidelines for treating individuals with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea not only ensures their physical safety during procedures, but also underscores our commitment to helping deliver patient-centered care," Julie Lynch, BSN, director of the Institute for Quality Improvement at AAAHC, said in the release.