A Motivational and Educational Toolkit to Improve CPAP Therapy Adherence: Feasibility of Organizational System Implementation (P1.096)

Objective: The objective of this study is to implement a motivational and educational program using a novel multi-modal toolkit and assess its effect on CPAP usage. Background: Sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea, are associated with significant morbidity and with pathological progression in certain neurological disorders such as stroke and mild cognitive impairment. The first-line treatment for sleep apnea, CPAP therapy, however remains challenging for patients. Meeting adherence criteria in the first 30 days of CPAP therapy initiation is a strong predictor of sustained treatment adherence. The bridge between this key process measure and quality patient care and outcomes is a needed and often missing intervention in actual clinical practice. Design/Methods: On initiation of CPAP therapy, patients are enrolled in the program and database. Education and support are provided in 3 modalities. 1. Clinical staff receives training in motivational interviewing (MI) to use in phone outreach to the patient in the first 7 days of therapy. 2. An automated and mobile SMS texting system delivers 6 educational messages to the patient during the critical first 30 days of therapy. 3. The patient receives printed educational material, a 30-page motivational calendar for the critical period. CPAP usage and efficacy data at 1 month and 3 months are monitored. Results: Clinic staff are receptive of the motivational interviewing session and implemented the motivational/educational toolkit effectively into clinical practice. Preliminary data on 7 patients found patient response to the toolkit intervention to be positive, while CPAP therapy data and formal survey results are being gathered. Conclusions: A multi-modal intervention involving MI training in staff-patient encounters, educational SMS texting, and printed material is introduced into the operations of a hospital-based sleep clinical practice. Assessment of patient response to each mode of intervention and the cost-benefit ratio will determine long-term system’s change. Disclosure: Dr. Slettedahl has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yantes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tsai has nothing to disclose.