Reducing COPD Readmissions and Improving Quality of Life

High rates of hospital readmissions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) indicate a problem with transitions of care in the outpatient management following an inpatient hospitalization. Data suggest that 22.6 percent of Medicare beneficiaries admitted to the hospital for COPD were subsequently readmitted within 30 days for an additional inpatient hospitalization. On average, the cost of the readmission is higher than the index visit. The risk of readmission is highest within the first seven days after discharge and in patients who are discharged from a primary care hospital.

The project proposes to implement a COPD care bundle in an effort to reduce the need for repeated readmissions to the hospital and improve quality of life for the COPD community. The project is a multidisciplinary effort utilizing hospitalists, nurses, primary care workers, home health workers, therapists, respiratory therapists, emergency department physicians and hospital leadership.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/