Obstructive sleep apnea death and near-miss registry collecting cases, but more needed

Researchers are building a new registry in hopes of uncovering patterns tied to unexpected perioperative deaths and near misses in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Ultimately, through analysis of detailed case reports included in the database, the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine and the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project aim to increase risk prevention. “Assembling a series of cases and documenting the details would better highlight the safety concerns in these patients,” says Case Western associate anesthesiology professor Norman Bolden, MD.