title: A study to investigate high readmission rates for COPD.
abstract: When an NHS trust found it had high readmission rates among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nurses from the acute respiratory assessment service decided to find out why. An audit found that, in fact, a very small number of patients were the cause of the problem. They suggest that improved care at home after discharge could help resolve the issue.
authors.affiliation: South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields, Tyne and Wear.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bartley
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006302:Health Services Research; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors