DARIEN, IL – While the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is disappointed in the recent decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to withdraw its advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning obstructive sleep apnea, the AASM is urging both agencies to take alternative steps to improve sleep apnea screening among individuals occupying safety sensitive positions in highway and rail transportation.
In the official announcement published in the Federal Register, the FMCSA indicated that it will consider making a much-needed update to the January 2015 “Bulletin to Medical Examiners and Training Organizations Regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” which provided no sleep apnea screening guidelines for medical examiners. FMCSA noted that this update would be based on the objective screening criteria recommended in August 2016 by the Medical Review Board. In a letter sent this week to the FMCSA and FRA, the AASM urged the FMCSA to expedite this important update, noting that the FMCSA currently provides insufficient guidance for the medical examiners who must identify drivers who are at risk for OSA.