ABSTRACT
Treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an investment in a workforce’s long-term health. Despite the known risks of untreated or underdiagnosed OSA to personal and public safety, no federal standards for the transportation industry have been accepted and consistently implemented for screening, diagnosis, and treatment for OSA. Until there are clear federal directives on addressing OSA, organisations are encouraged to follow, at a minimum, the 2016 Medical Review Board of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These guidelines are limited in that they do not clearly delineate a comprehensive standard of care that addresses diagnosis, treatment, compliance, systematic re-assessments, and work-related duty restrictions. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has made a commitment to their employees’ health and safety and provides a comprehensive programme for the diagnosis and treatment of OSA. The MTA’s experience in implementing this programme highlights the areas that a federally mandated programme could address to ensure successful implementation across the transportation industry.
