Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: COPD is the third leading cause of death and a significant economic burden. Thus, reducing rates of COPD hospitalizations has been a major focus for many institutions, including the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. This quality improvement project aims to develop and implement an outpatient, COPD clinic to improve COPD disease state management and reduce rates of emergency department and hospital admissions and re-admissions due to COPD exacerbations.
Methods: Patients admitted to the emergency department or hospital for a COPD exacerbation as defined by ICD-10 codes or discharge diagnosis will be enrolled in the clinic within two weeks and followed for a minimum of 3 months post-discharge. Visits will be conducted via face-to-face or video telehealth. Following the initial visit, patients will be scheduled for a minimum of two follow-up visits. Pharmacist interventions may include disease state education, inhaler technique education, addition and/or discontinuation of medications, recommendations for vaccinations, tobacco cessation counseling, and referrals. Appropriate referrals include those for spirometry testing, the addition of COPD home action plan medications, COPD disease state group education, or behavioral interventions. At the follow up visit, pharmacists will review medication adherence, re-assess symptoms, assess use of COPD home action plan, and address patient concerns. Impact of the clinic will primarily be evaluated by comparing the rates of hospitalization between the months of active enrollment with those of one year prior. Interventions will be reported using a pharmacist intervention tracking tool. Finally, surveys will be provided to patients, providers, and pharmacists to assess value and satisfaction with the clinic.
Results: Not applicable
Conclusion: Not applicable
Allison Young
– Pharmacy Resident, VA Black Hills Healthcare System - Fort Meade, Sturgis, SD131 Views