New Program Reduces COPD Hospital Readmissions

A treatment plan designed to help hospitals reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) related readmissions and costs also improves patient outcomes and quality of life.

The COPD Seamless Treatment and Exacerbation Prevention (STEP) Plan, a partnership between Nonin Medical (Minneapolis, MN, USA) and Tri-anim Health Services (Dublin, OH, USA), includes a four-pillar approach based on successful COPD treatment and management programs already in practice:
Care-team alignment—full alignment between hospital administration and clinical staff, a trained hospital COPD coordinator, coordination with the primary physician, and full patient participation in care;
In-patient hospital care plan—accurate diagnosis and treatment, in-patient training on home equipment, and daily rituals using the "teach back" method;
Outpatient home care plan—"daily rituals" activity plan, rapid access to the clinician for patients experiencing signs of exacerbation or relapse, and patient contact post discharge as needed to assure plan and medication adherence;
Home-care devices—home oxygen (including lightweight portable oxygen) supply, a pulse oximeter, an airway clearance device, and a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) spacer, as needed.

“Most hospitals have programs to treat the acute aspects of COPD, but post-discharge programs supporting the chronic disease aspects tend to fall short,” said Rick Eagle, vice president of sales at Nonin Medical. More...