PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Fanny W.S. Ko
AU  - Mei-yi Leung
AU  - Man-chi Pun
AU  - Jenny C.N. Ngai
AU  - Alvin H.M. Tung
AU  - Susanna S.S. Ng
AU  - Rita Cheung
AU  - Tat-on Chan
AU  - Pui-yu Chan
AU  - David S.C. Hui
TI  - COPD care programme can reduce readmissions and in-patient bed days
DP  - 2013 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P1542
VI  - 42
IP  - Suppl 57
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1542.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1542.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42
AB  - Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease worldwide with significant morbidity and incurs heavy utilization of healthcare resources.Aim: To investigate the effect of a comprehensive COPD management programme in decreasing COPD readmissions.Method: 138 (122males) patients admitted for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were recruited between September 2010 to December 2011. COPD care team, including respiratory physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and community nurses, provided crisis support and long term maintenance therapy for the COPD patients for a total of 16 weeks. The protocol included in-patient management, in-patient early discharge with post-discharge support (including CNS and home physiotherapist treatment), fast track clinic, telephone hotline, designated COPD clinic and out-patient pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Readmissions over a period of 1 year were assessed.Results: The mean(SD) age of the subjects and FEV1 % predicted normal were 77.4±7.4yrs and 42.4±21.4% respectively. 35(25.4%) patients required non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the recruitment admission. The number of admissions for AECOPD reduced from 2.9±2.1 one year before programme to 1.6±2.0 one year after programme (mean difference 1.3±2.3, p<0.01). The length of hospital stay also reduced from 14.0±10.4 one year before programme to 9.0±11.4 days one year after the programme (mean difference 5.0±12.4days, p<0.01). The in-patient bed days reduced from 13986 to 9028 per 1000 patients over a period of 1 year.Conclusion: COPD care programme is effective in decreasing readmissions, length of hospital day and in-patient bed days for COPD patients.