The Value of Implementing a Digital Approach in the Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Patient Pathway: A Spanish Example.

Introduction: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, non-adherence is common and costly. The COVID-19 pandemic required the use of novel solutions to ensure service provision and quality of care. This retrospective analysis determined the impact and value of a digital versus standard pathway for the management of OSA in Spain.

Methods: A time-driven activity-based costing approach was applied to OSA management over 1 year using a standard or digital pathway. The standard pathway included face-to-face appointments at the time of diagnosis, then after 1-3 months and every 6 months thereafter. The digital pathway had fewer face-to-face appointments and utilised telemonitoring. A cost analysis was performed to determine the per-patient cost per healthcare professional (HCP) for a digital pathway for therapy implementation and follow-up compared with the standard pathway.

Results: Compared with the standard pathway, the digital pathway decreased the waiting list time from 18 to 2 months, the overall pathway time from 12 to 6 months, HCP cost per patient from €95 to €85, and number of hospital appointments per patient from 6 to 3.1. Furthermore, CPAP device usage improved from 5.7 to 6.3 h/night and the proportion of individuals defined as adherent increased from 79% to 91%.

Conclusions: Implementation of digital processes using available technology reduced HCP time and costs, and improved adherence to CPAP in people with OSA. Greater utilisation of a digital pathway could improve access to therapy, allow personalised patient management, and facilitate better clinical outcomes.