Title:Clinical Approaches to Minimize Readmissions of Patients with COPD: A
Narrative Review
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Author(s): Sy Duong-Quy*, Thu Vo-Pham-Minh, Van Duong-Thi-Thanh, Timothy Craig and Vinh Nguyen-Nhu
Affiliation:
- Bio-Medical Research Centre, Lam Dong Medical College, Da Lat, Vietnam
- Penn State Medical College, Hershey
Medical Center, PA 117033, USA
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, VietNam
Keywords:
COPD, readmission, acute exacerbation, comorbidities, action plan, inhaler technique.
Abstract: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease and also a leading
cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The frequent readmissions of patients with COPD
may reduce lung function, mental health, and quality of life; it also increases the cost of treatment
and mortality rate. Some common factors that may increase the readmission frequency of COPD patients
include delay of diagnosis, advanced lung function decline, lack of adherence for COPD
treatment, ineffective management of comorbidities, acute exacerbation or stable COPD, and infections.
However, these factors might be well controlled with appropriate approaches to minimize the
readmission of patients with COPD. In this review, we propose a strategy with a seven-step approach
to reduce the readmission in COPD patients, including early diagnosis of COPD, optimal
treatment for stable COPD, targeted management of comorbidities, adequate therapy for acute exacerbations,
individualized action plans for COPD patients, effective prevention of bacterial and viral
infections, and adaptive program of pulmonary rehabilitation. Thus, implementing this approach
may reduce the risk of readmission in patients with COPD.