Safety & Family Pride is What Makes Kobussen Buses an Exceptional Ride

WAUKESHA, Wis. — In November 2008, Kobussen Buses, Ltd. became the first company in Central Wisconsin to offer an employer-driven sleep apnea program to all of its employees. Everyone employed with Kobussen — whether full-time or part-time, bus drivers or office personnel, working as far north as Oconto or as far south as Sun Prairie – has been encouraged to participate.  Kobussen partnered with Sleep Apnea Solutions, Inc. (SAS) of Waukesha to institute a voluntary and confidential sleep apnea program to promote employee wellness and help prevent accidents associated with drowsy driving.   

“Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but don’t realize that drowsy driving can be just as serious. Like alcohol, sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases the risks of crashing.” states Rick Adamich, Vice President of Sleep Apnea Solutions, Inc.     

People with untreated sleep apnea do not get the restorative sleep they need leaving them excessively tired when they’re awake.  Sleep apnea causes interruptions of breathing during sleep.  People who suffer from sleep apnea unknowingly awaken several times a night and in some cases, multiple times an hour.  Each pause in breathing can last anywhere from 10 seconds to over a minute depending on the person’s severity.   

For commercial drivers, untreated sleep apnea is dangerous and potentially deadly – not only for themselves, but the individuals they transport, and for other drivers sharing the road with them. According to statistics, driving while tired puts a driver at a three to seven times greater risk of being in an accident.   Research today estimates at least 28% of CDL holders are expected to be at risk for sleep apnea and in April 2008, the FMCSA’s Medical Review Board accepted recommendations that all CDL holders at risk for sleep apnea be tested and treated for it.  

Kobussen’s program consists of interactive group education about sleep apnea, including completion of a sleep apnea risk assessment. Employees shown to be at risk for sleep apnea then meet with a SAS sleep specialist to complete a brief comprehensive sleep evaluation prior to being set up with a home sleep test. The cost of the tests is covered by Kobussen. Results of these tests are scored by a registered sleep technician and reviewed by a board certified sleep physician. If the results indicate a high likelihood of sleep apnea, the driver is encouraged to start a 30 day trial of Auto CPAP therapy immediately. CPAP is the safest and most effective method for treating sleep apnea. The cost of the trial treatment is also covered by Kobussen. 

  “My eyes were opened wide when I was educated about sleep apnea.  I had no idea how severe it was nor how many could really be affected by it.” shared Joe Kobussen, President of Kobussen Buses, Ltd, “SAS did a great job of sharing pertinent information to a large group in only a short amount of time, as some drivers needed to get out and start their routes.  I was later amazed to learn about the number of employees that took advantage of the benefit program we are offering. I am pleased we chose to participate in this program as it will not only improve the lives of our employees, but further enhance the safety of those we transport.” 

To date, close to 300 Kobussen employees have been educated about sleep apnea, 20% of those educated have elected to take a home sleep test. Follow up has included group CPAP clinics and individual treatment setups. More educational clinics will be offered in 2009 for new hires and employees who were unable to participate in the initial program rollout.