Early discharge of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe any respiratory condition that causes long-standing airflow obstruction, which is non or only partially reversible with bronchodilator therapy. These diseases include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic airflow limitation and some cases of chronic asthma. The World Health Organization global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) recommendations proposed a new definition of COPD as 'a disease state characterised by a progressive airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases' (Pauwels et al, 2001).
Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Sue
S
Burton
D004739:England; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010359:Patient Readmission; D018579:Patient Selection; D015397:Program Evaluation; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013222:State Medicine; D013997:Time Factors