Designing and implementing a COPD discharge care bundle

• Published in: Thorax Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 90 - 92
• Main Authors: Hopkinson, Nicholas S, Englebretsen, Catherine, Cooley, Nicholas, Kennie, Kevin, Lim, Mun, Woodcock, Thomas, Laverty, Anthony A, Wilson, Sandra, Elkin, Sarah L, Caneja, Cielito, Falzon, Christine, Burgess, Helen, Bell, Derek, Lai, Dilys
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society 01.01.2012; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Series: Research update
• Subjects: Acute exacerbation; Aged; asthma; asthma epidemiology; asthma in primary care; asthma mechanisms; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Chest Clinic; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Compliance; COPD epidemiology; COPD exacerbations; COPD mechanisms; COPD pathology; cough/mechanisms/pharmacology; emphysema; empyema; Evidence-Based Medicine - standards; Female; Health Services Research; Hospitals; Humans; lung physiology; lung volume reduction surgery; Male; Medical sciences; mesothelioma; non-invasive ventilation; Nurses; Patient Care Management; Patient Discharge - statistics & numerical data; Patients; pleural disease; Pneumology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy; pulmonary embolism; pulmonary rehabilitation; quality improvement; Rehabilitation; respiratory measurement; respiratory muscles; Smoking cessation; Teaching; Lung disease; Chronic; Respiratory disease; Bronchus disease; Anesthesia; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Circulatory system; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Cardiology; Discharge; Care
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200233

National surveys have revealed significant differences in patient outcomes following admission to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD which are likely to be due to variations in care. We developed a care bundle, comprising a short list of evidence-based practices to be implemented prior to discharge for all patients admitted with this condition, based on a review of national guidelines and other relevant literature, expert opinion and patient consultation. Implementation was then piloted using action research methodologies with patient input. Actively involving staff was vital to ensure that the changes introduced were understood and the process followed. Implementation of a care bundle has the potential to produce a dramatic improvement in compliance with optimum health care practice.