PURPOSE:The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a postanesthesia care unit (PACU) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) protocol in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery. DESIGN:The structure of this project was a preimplementation and postimplementation design. METHODS:A convenience sample of 63 patients admitted to the PACU after spinal fusion surgery, with diagnosed or high-risk OSA, was included in protocol implementation. FINDINGS:The prevalence of diagnosed and high-risk OSA at the project implementation site totaled 74% in the spinal fusion population. The incidence of oxygen desaturations was 41% in the preimplementation group and 35% in the postimplementation group. The PACU to intensive care unit transfers were 10% in the preimplementation group and 3% in the postimplementation group. CONCLUSIONS:Protocols for surgical patients with OSA require further examination but may function as a guide for postoperative nursing care.