OSA Identifier

The Remote-Access Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Video Clinic pilot was delivered as part of the Smart D8 pilot programme to explore how digital innovation can transform access to specialist respiratory care in Dublin 8. Developed in collaboration with St James’s hospital, the pilot responded to a significant service challenge: waiting times of two to three years for assessment and diagnosis of suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common but serious condition associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and reduced quality of life. Demand for assessment has grown steadily in recent years, placing sustained pressure on outpatient services. Traditional pathways rely heavily on in person appointments and limited sleep laboratory capacity, contributing to long delays before patients can begin treatment.

The pilot set out to redesign this pathway from end to end using a digitally enabled, patient-centred model. The result is a fully integrated virtual care pathway that supports patients from referral through to diagnosis and treatment initiation without the need for routine hospital visits.

Patients referred to the service are added to a secure digital platform and automatically invited to engage through the myPatientSpace app. Through the app, patients receive education about sleep apnoea, complete structured assessments and patient-reported outcome measures, and are guided through each step of the process. A home sleep study device is posted directly to the patient, allowing diagnostic testing to take place in their own home. Once completed, the clinical team is notified, results are reviewed remotely, and follow-up consultations are conducted via secure video within the same platform. Where clinically indicated, CPAP therapy is initiated quickly, significantly shortening the time to treatment.

Since the start of the pilot, more than 144 patients have completed a virtual sleep study, with over 100 actively progressing through the pathway. Of 69 patients who completed studies since January 2024, 80% were diagnosed with sleep apnoea, and 74% of those commenced CPAP therapy. Most notably, waiting times have been reduced from two to three years to approximately two to three months – representing an eight- to ten-fold improvement in access to care.

Beyond improved timelines, the pilot has demonstrated significant efficiencies in clinical time and service delivery. By reducing unnecessary in-person appointments and streamlining administrative processes through automation and digital communication, specialist capacity can be directed toward patients with more complex needs. Patient feedback indicates high levels of satisfaction, particularly in relation to convenience, clarity of communication and speed of access to treatment.

The Remote-Access Sleep Apnoea pilot highlights how integrated digital pathways can address long-standing healthcare access challenges while maintaining quality and safety. By combining telehealth consultations, home-based diagnostics, digital education and automated workflow management, the project offers a scalable model for specialty services facing rising demand.

As Smart D8 continues to support innovation that responds to real community health needs, this pilot demonstrates the potential of digital transformation to deliver faster diagnosis, earlier treatment and improved patient experience – reshaping how outpatient care can be delivered in Dublin 8 and beyond.