No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Study Objectives: Clinical benefit from positive pressure therapy is dependent on treatment adherence. Extreme weather events, such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can contribute to nonadherence by electricity loss and mandatory evacuation. We aimed to evaluate the concerns and behaviors of regular positive airway pressure users surrounding the extreme weather event Hurricane Irma. Methods: A questionnaire on positive pressure concerns surrounding Hurricane Irma was completed by 117 patients with pre-hurricane objectively confirmed treatment adherence as defined by Medicare. Responses were tabulated to identify concerns and behavior in preparation for and after Hurricane Irma. Cloud-based monitoring, available on 50 (43%) cases, was used to determine the effect of self-reported electricity loss on treatment adherence before and after the storm. Quantitative use data pre-and post-Hurricane Irma was compared by t test with P < .05 considered statistically significant. Results: Post-hurricane 78 (67%) patients were unable to use treatment with mean duration of 4.3 days. Of these, snoring, choking, and sleepiness were reported in 64%, 19%, and 42%, respectively. Loss of electricity was identified as the cause of missed treatment in 71 patients. In those with cloud monitoring, mean 14-day pre-and post-hurricane use differed by 8 minutes (P =.056). Cloud-monitored cases with loss of electricity had a decline in mean use of 33 minutes for the first 7 days post-hurricane. There was a trend towards increased use post-hurricane in those that retained electricity. Many patients expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of preparedness guidelines. Conclusions: Although common, loss of electricity was not the sole disruptor of positive pressure use after extreme weather events. Regular users of positive airway pressure experience both disruption in patterns of use and concerns regarding preparedness for extreme weather events.

This April, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) took part as exhibitors at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC. This was AASM's first time attending the festival which is the largest conference of its kind promoting and celebrating science and technology in the United States hosting 370,000 attendees including schoolchildren, educators, and the general public. The AASM's exhibit featured interactive games as well as materials aimed at the promotion of healthy sleep habits in all age groups. A few individuals presented with more specific questions and were provided education and directed to online resources approved by the Academy. It was apparent that many people were unaware of the field of sleep medicine and responded favorably to our presence. We hope our account of the experience helps inform thought on further direction the AASM takes in the realm of public outreach and education.