US: Optimizing Success in Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Role of the Mask

Activity Title

Optimizing Success in Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Role of the Mask

Statement of Need/Program Overview

In this educational activity, we will review the importance of the CPAP interface in achieving success in obstructive sleep apnea treatment. We will discuss the evolution of mask technology and mask fitting approaches, including virtual apps. Side effects and outcomes will be compared between nasal and oronasal masks. Evaluation of nasal symptoms, indications for clinical and surgical treatment for nasal obstruction and outcomes of nasal surgency on CPAP use will be discussed. The excessive use of oronasal masks and rationale for choosing nasal masks as first-line options for CPAP treatment will be presented. The mechanisms involved in the better outcomes of nasal masks and of potential ineffectiveness of oronasal CPAP treatment will be reviewed. Detection and management strategies of excessive mouth leak during nasal CPAP will be proposed.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for healthcare professionals involved in the management of obstructive sleep apnea that include Pulmonologists, Pneumologists, Respirologists, Respiratory Physiotherapists, Respiratory Therapists (Hospital, Home), Neurologists, Pediatricians, Otorhinolaryngologists, Sleep Technicians, Home Healthcare Providers, Critical Care Medicine Specialists, Internal Medicine Specialists, Primary Care Physicians (General and Family Practitioners), Advanced Practice Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, Managed Care Medical Directors, and other Practitioners and Payers.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
1. Discuss the evolution of mask technology and fitting.
2. Compare side effects of nasal and oronasal masks for CPAP treatment.
3. Define importance of a patent nasal airway.
4. Analyze clinical and surgical intervention outcomes on PAP acceptance & adherence.
5. Summarize potential ineffectiveness of oronasal CPAP for OSA patients.
6. Describe longitudinal treatment of OSA with nasal CPAP as first line option, including management of excessive oral leak.

Faculty

Pedro Genta, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary Medicine
University of São Paulo

Jennifer Newitt, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh

Olivier M. Vanderveken, MD, PhD
Full Professor in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Sleep Surgery
Translational Neurosciences
Vice-Dean
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
University of Antwerp
Head of Department and Chair
Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery
Antwerp University Hospital
Antwerp, BELGIUM

Program Agenda

Section 1: Overview of PAP masks, approach to fit and impact on PAP therapy adherence (38.5 minutes)
Section 2: Patient Interface: PAP Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (28.75 minutes)
Section 3: Nasal Masks as first line options for CPAP (39 minutes)

CME Provider Accreditation Statement

This activity is provided by Global Education Group (Global).

Physician Accreditation Statement

Global Education Group is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation

Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education

Global Education Group is accredited by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as an approved provider of nurse practitioner continuing education. Provider number: 110121. This activity is approved for 1.75 contact hour(s) (which includes 0.0 hour(s) of pharmacology).

Physician Assistants

AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 1.75 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nursing Continuing Education

Global Education Group is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This educational activity for 1.75 contact hours is provided by Global Education Group. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term Offering - ACCME, AANP, ANCC

This activity was released on August 25, 2025 and is valid for one year. Requests for credit must be made no later than August 25, 2026.

Global Contact Information

For information about the accreditation of this program, please contact Global at 303-395-1782 or cme@globaleducationgroup.com.

Credit Designation - AARC

This Non-traditional program has been approved for 1.75 contact hour Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) credit by the American Association for Respiratory Care; 9425 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 100, Irving TX 75063

Term Offering - AARC / CRCE

This activity was released on August 25, 2025 and is valid for two years. Requests for credit must be made no later than August 25, 2027.

The above term offering is for the following accreditation: AARC.

Instructions to Receive Credit

In order to receive credit, participants must complete all of the course lessons. Participants must also score at least a 70% on the posttest. Upon completion of lessons and quizzes, you must also complete the evaluation form. Your certificate will be available to download upon completion of the evaluation.

System Requirements

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Fee Information

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

Global adheres to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous. All persons in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education program provided by Global are required to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company within the past 24 months to Global. All financial relationships reported are identified as relevant and mitigated by Global in accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited CE in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. The content of this activity was vetted by Global to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Faculty Disclosures

The faculty have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:

*Name of Faculty or Presenter*	*Reported Financial Relationship*
Pedro Genta, MD	Contracted Research: Biologix, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, ResMed Foundation, Fleury Institute
Jennifer L. Newitt, MD	Nothing to Disclose
Oliver Vanderveken, MD, PhD	Consulting Fee (e.g., Advisory Board): Inspire Medical Systems Contracted Research (Principal Investigators must provide information, even if received by the institution): Inspire Medical Systems, Nyxoah, ProSomnus, Somnomed

The planners and managers at Global Education Group have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use:

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

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Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Commercial Support Statement

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Philips Respironics, Inc.

Policy on Privacy and Confidentiality

Global protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. Global and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

Global Education Group and Dane Garvin Ltd. maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.