title: Designing and implementing a COPD discharge care bundle.
abstract: National surveys have revealed significant differences in patient outcomes following admission to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD which are likely to be due to variations in care. We developed a care bundle, comprising a short list of evidence-based practices to be implemented prior to discharge for all patients admitted with this condition, based on a review of national guidelines and other relevant literature, expert opinion and patient consultation. Implementation was then piloted using action research methodologies with patient input. Actively involving staff was vital to ensure that the changes introduced were understood and the process followed. Implementation of a care bundle has the potential to produce a dramatic improvement in compliance with optimum health care practice.
authors.affiliation: NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for North West London, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. n.hopkinson@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: Nicholas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Hopkinson
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Englebretsen
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kennie
authors.forename: Mun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woodcock
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Laverty
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Elkin
authors.forename: Cielito
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caneja
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falzon
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Dilys
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*