Implementation science study of a novel diagnostic technology and pathway for obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosis
Lead Researcher : Dr Patrik Bachtinger
Supported by the Cardiovascular Theme
Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) wait up to two years for an NHS diagnostic test. Early diagnosis enables optimal treatment, mitigating risks including heart failure, lung disease, and stroke. Current diagnostic approaches are expensive (£450), time-consuming (>1-hour interpretation), uncomfortable (cables/tubes/wires), and inequitable (multiple hospital visits and racially biased technology). Funding from the BRC unlocked further funding to design an implementation science study to overcome all these challenges through a highly disruptive and innovative straight-to-test diagnostic pathway – modernised using automated AcuPebble technology (designed by scientists and engineers at Imperial College). This pathway has since demonstrated exceptional clinical, health economic, health equity, workforce, and sustainability outcomes – proven through research funding, generating evidence that has since enabled adoption at scale as a new NHS standard-of-care.