Join Our Newsletter

New? Free Sign Up

Then check our Welcome Center to a Community Caring about Sleep Apnea diagnosis and Sleep Apnea treatment:

CPAP machines, Sleep Apnea surgery and dental appliances.

CPAP Supplies

Latest Activity

Steven B. Ronsen updated their profile
Mar 5, 2024
Dan Lyons updated their profile
Mar 7, 2022
99 replied to Mike's discussion SPO 7500 Users?
"please keep me updated about oximeters "
Dec 4, 2021
Stefan updated their profile
Sep 16, 2019
Profile IconBLev and bruce david joined SleepGuide
Aug 21, 2019

MSNBC Covers Truckers and Sleep Apnea

MSNBC finally getting to the dangers posed by truckers who do not treat their sleep apnea: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31066019/

good to see the national media is giving more attention to this.

Views: 31

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JoyD on June 4, 2009 at 12:59pm
Mike,

That's a great article. Why not require airline pilots to be tested for OSA as well! I was not aware of the high rate of truckers and pilots with undiagnosed OSA or SDB until I read Dr. William Dements book published in 2000 called "The Promise of Sleep". In his book he talks about his research testing these populations. It was very scary to read about the "Not-So-Friendly Skies". Studies were done in this population which resulted in several non-USA airlines implementing planned rest periods during their long-haul flights, but those in the USA are still relegated to napping off the record.

Dement writes: "Although pilot naps, unintended or otherwise, already occur on American flights ... it has proven politically impossible to pass regulations allowing them; there is still the unfortunate perception that permitting pilots to sleep in the cockpit is dangerous--even with a fully awake copilot--despite the studies that show planned napping to be safer than not napping."

" This is one of the most preposterous and illogical policy decisions of all times. While Mark [Rosekind] was doing these studies, he regaled me with innumerable horror stories of cockpit sleeping that he had heard from pilots. In one, the pilot fell asleep and awoke with a start to find that his copilot and navigator were also asleep. Although it was mid-flight, he was concerned enough to summon the senior flight attendant and order her to stand guard. Again, he lost the battle against sleep. Once more he awoke with a start, and turned to chastise the flight attendant for allowing him to fall asleep--but found she was asleep herself. Every airline passenger who flies is concerned about safety. Clearly, the decision makers are not well enough informed to appreciate the significance of the research, and an uninformed public will not protest such a counterproductive failure to act."

Yikes!

JoyD.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 4, 2009 at 11:20pm
Swift trucking was one of the accounts at my last lab.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 5, 2009 at 2:40am
it's crazy the way things happen. No sooner had I responded to this post this was in my email.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31066019/
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 5, 2009 at 3:08am
More and more insurance companies are starting to make sleep evalation a requirement for cheaper rates. This is what is happening in the trucking industry anyway. The bigger corps like Swift, Schneider, and Roadway are already beginning OSA screening and evaluations to offset insurance premiums. The problem as I have experienced these contracts first hand is that these companies are looking to get the cheapest rates possible for these studies. This is great for them, but what about the truckers. From what I ahve seen they are getting one study. If positive they are given an auto-set machine with a range of 4-20cmwp with little to no follow up regardless of what is found in that study. Compliance is all that is needed for the company to meet their insurance requirements. Will this help? Yes, will it fix the problem? not a chance.

As far as pilots go the airlines that do require sleep evaluations are very strict. A company involved in a sleep contract for pilots has no pre-test screener. If it is required for one it is required for all. First the pilot has an initial evalution(psg). If positive They are titrated, treated for apnea, and required to be compliant to keep their job. If negative they do a MSLT to determine daytime sleepiness. Second after time to work off their sleep debt they are brought back in for a third study to determine that it is working. If the results are good they then will do the MSLT. Finally the pilot is brought in yet again for a Maintenence of Wakefullness Test(MWT). This test is evil. A sleep tech actually sets a room that is meant to make you fall asleep with a low light source and soothing music. Then the pilot is required to sit in bed and stay awake during a series of 40 minute test spread out throughout the day. If the pilot falls asleep once the study is ended the employer is contacted, and they are terminated. This will very soon be the gold standard for all pilots. It is a program already in place for a few airlines.

JoyD said:
Mike,

That's a great article. Why not require airline pilots to be tested for OSA as well! I was not aware of the high rate of truckers and pilots with undiagnosed OSA or SDB until I read Dr. William Dements book published in 2000 called "The Promise of Sleep". In his book he talks about his research testing these populations. It was very scary to read about the "Not-So-Friendly Skies". Studies were done in this population which resulted in several non-USA airlines implementing planned rest periods during their long-haul flights, but those in the USA are still relegated to napping off the record.

Dement writes: "Although pilot naps, unintended or otherwise, already occur on American flights ... it has proven politically impossible to pass regulations allowing them; there is still the unfortunate perception that permitting pilots to sleep in the cockpit is dangerous--even with a fully awake copilot--despite the studies that show planned napping to be safer than not napping."

" This is one of the most preposterous and illogical policy decisions of all times. While Mark [Rosekind] was doing these studies, he regaled me with innumerable horror stories of cockpit sleeping that he had heard from pilots. In one, the pilot fell asleep and awoke with a start to find that his copilot and navigator were also asleep. Although it was mid-flight, he was concerned enough to summon the senior flight attendant and order her to stand guard. Again, he lost the battle against sleep. Once more he awoke with a start, and turned to chastise the flight attendant for allowing him to fall asleep--but found she was asleep herself. Every airline passenger who flies is concerned about safety. Clearly, the decision makers are not well enough informed to appreciate the significance of the research, and an uninformed public will not protest such a counterproductive failure to act."

Yikes!

JoyD.
Permalink Reply by JoyD on June 7, 2009 at 10:56pm
Rock,

Thanks for the updated information on the current requirements for sleep tests for Pilots. I'm relieved to know that the program you describe will soon be the Gold Standard for pilots in this country, and that some airlines already have put it into effect!

Do you happen to know which airlines already require sleep evaluations including screening and PSG's, MSLT, & MWT when needed?

Thanks,

JoyD.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 10, 2009 at 10:31am
I only know the contracts we have and i can't give out that info. I can tell you that if they have ever had an accident that made the headlines due to a sleep disorder they are probably testing their pilots now.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 10, 2009 at 12:02pm
Why aren't physicians required to be screened or evaluated. They work long hours and our exposed to life and death situations. The next time you go to the emergency room ask the doc how long he has been up. How many hours has he worked this week? Whats his weekly hour average for the month? How much sleep did your surgeon get last night?
Permalink Reply by JoyD on June 11, 2009 at 3:03pm
Rock,

Hmmm. I take it you are saying you work in a sleep lab that has contracts with airlines. Is that right?

Can you clarify your second sentence above . . . the way it is worded it can be interpreted several ways.

Thank you,

Joy



Rock Hinkle said:
I only know the contracts we have and i can't give out that info. I can tell you that if they have ever had an accident that made the headlines due to a sleep disorder they are probably testing their pilots now.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on June 11, 2009 at 6:44pm
Not sure how to reword Joy. Say you live in the desert. No need for flood insurance right? One day a huge storm blows through and floods your house. From that day forward you will be required to have flood insurance on that house. This is kind of what is going on in the commercial passenger and freight industry. 20 years ago no one new that sleep affected us in the way that it does. Now we are getting reports of accidents daily because of bad sleep. Insurance companies right the rules and regulations because they are the ones with the money to lose. They have to protect their bottom line and their shareholders. If a sleep study will save them money you can bet your bum that they are going to require them. I believe it to be simple math. It is cheaper to pay for the studies than for the wrongful death suits. Plus look at all the good pr swift trucking is getting right now.

JoyD said:
Rock,

Hmmm. I take it you are saying you work in a sleep lab that has contracts with airlines. Is that right?

Can you clarify your second sentence above . . . the way it is worded it can be interpreted several ways.

Thank you,

Joy



Rock Hinkle said:
I only know the contracts we have and i can't give out that info. I can tell you that if they have ever had an accident that made the headlines due to a sleep disorder they are probably testing their pilots now.
Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on July 15, 2009 at 1:48am
Permalink Reply by Judy on July 15, 2009 at 9:06am
Eh, I'm not a fan of flying anyway unless the destination is more than a 24 hour drive away. TruckerDad over at apneasupport has posted about trucking and sleep apnea testing and regulations. He tries to help out those long haul drivers who post there.

And given the last three experiences my hubby has had flying home to Maine and back ..... I'm not any more impressed w/air transportation than I was. I'm not afraid of flying - just not impressed w/it or at least not impressed w/the airlines - or airports. I prefer driving - which is MORE dangerous and risky.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2025   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service