Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease state resulting from exposure to toxins that cause progressive airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. COPD is currently the 4th leading cause of death in the world. COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization are associated with increased morbidity and have a five-year mortality rate of about 50% (1). Proper inhaler technique, optimized therapy, and smoking cessation can positively influence symptom control for COPD, thus reducing readmissions (1,2). The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of clinical pharmacy specialists’ interventions on COPD 30-day readmission rates and improvement in symptom control.
Methods: Admission data will be reviewed daily to identify patients with a COPD exacerbation as the primary diagnosis for inpatient stay. Identified patients will be educated on disease state and inhaler therapy during admission. Following discharge, patients will be called via telephone within 96 hours to reinforce education, discuss adherence to inhaler therapy, identify patient-specific barriers, and assess symptom control via the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Patients will then be scheduled to meet with a clinical pharmacy specialist to optimize therapy based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines. Prior to initiation of reviews, this study will be submitted to the institution review board for approval. Upon approval, a retrospective chart review will be performed on those patients enrolled into clinic through January 2018. The primary endpoint will be the 30-day rate of readmissions. This will be compared to the readmission rate of the control group, patients admitted with a COPD exacerbation over the same time period in the year prior (2017). Secondary endpoints include symptom improvement identified as improvement in CAT score, number of patients started on smoking cessation therapy, number of interventions by pharmacists, adherence rates of identified patients, and primary diagnosis of 30-day readmission.
Results: Not applicable
Conclusion: Not applicable
Julia Babis
– PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL135 Views