A Multidisciplinary Intervention to Improve Care for High-Risk COPD Patients. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gay, Elizabeth; Desai, Sonali; McNeil, Debra
• Is Part Of: American journal of medical quality. Volume 35:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: COPD -- process improvement -- readmissions -- COPD exacerbation; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Utilization review -- Periodicals; Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1062860619865329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-8606

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations contribute to both costs and patient morbidity. The authors designed a quality project to improve care for high-risk COPD patients admitted with an exacerbation. An electronic medical record report was used to target admitted high-risk COPD patients for an intervention that included pulmonary and respiratory therapy consults, post-discharge phone calls from a patient navigator, referrals to palliative services when appropriate, and bedside delivery of medications. The control population was a similar group of patients at a community partner hospital who received usual care. In all, 157 unique patients were enrolled over 16 months; referrals to palliative care services increased and rates of outpatient follow-up improved. There was no difference in readmissions or emergency department visits between the 2 groups. Better coordination of outpatient care and attention to psychosocial burdens were identified as possible targets for future interventions.