St. Cloud ENT Partnership for Sleep Apnea Treatment

This case study outlines how St. Cloud ENT collaborated with an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), multiple sleep clinics, and a local hospital to enhance treatment options for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy. The partnership aims to provide timely access to the Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulation procedure, which has been FDA-approved since 2014. The study details the implementation of a pre-consultation screening process to identify eligible patients, thereby increasing operational efficiency and improving patient outcomes. By optimizing the logistics of the implant procedure, St. Cloud ENT has significantly reduced patient wait times and increased the percentage of patients approved for the procedure. The collaborative approach also involves working closely with sleep medicine specialists to ensure comprehensive care for patients, including those who may require alternative treatments. Overall, the initiative has led to a higher patient satisfaction rate and a notable growth in surgical services offered by the ASC.