"Sleepy
workers are dangerous, less productive, and a major source of increased health
care costs and corporate liability. Studies of the workplace and transportation
industries reveal that human error causes up to 90% of accidents, with
inadequate sleep representing a major factor in human error."
Time
magazine cover story, "Drowsy America", 12/17/90.
Many organizations have zero tolerance
for drug and alcohol abuse. Considering the overwhelming evidence
associating "Sleepy Workers" with both "Loss of Life" and
"Loss of Profits" is it not time your organization take a zero
tolerance approach to Breathing Related Sleep Disorders? Breathing Related
Sleep Disorders are much easier to treat and much more prevalent than addiction
in your group. Screening your organization is as simple as having each
individual fill out the following questionnaire and following through with a
consultation if indicated.
Answer the following questions. If your
total score is 10 or above, it is very likely that you have a serious breathing
related sleep disorder which should be attended to by a Sleep Specialist.
If your total score is below 10, you most likely have primary snoring with no
apnea. Either way, you can only treat your snoring under the supervision
of a Medical Doctor, which will use the results of this questionnaire to help
them to assess the seriousness of your snoring.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
How likely are you to dose off or fall asleep
in the following situations, in contrast to just feeling tired?
This refers to your usual way of life in recent times.
Even if you have not done some of these things recently try to work out
how they would have affected you.
Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each
situation:
0 = Never, 1 =
Slight Chance, 2 =
Moderate Chance, 3
= High Chance
Situation
Chance of Dozing
Sitting and reading
______________
Watching TV
______________
Sitting inactive in
a public place
______________
As a passenger in a
car for an hour without a break
______________
Lying down to rest
in the afternoon when possible
______________
Sitting and talking
to someone
______________
Sitting quietly
after lunch without alcohol
______________
In a car, while
stopped for a few minutes in traffic
______________
TOTAL
______________
