Reducing emergency room utilization in end-stage COPD - feasible or fantasy?
The emergency room (ER) is a common point of care transition for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many of these patients present to the ER because of dyspnea, anxiety and caregiver burden that is precipitated by fragmented and reactive systems of care that fail to meet their needs. This article uses an illustrative case report to outline the challenges patients and caregivers face and presents the core elements of care required to improve quality of care and decrease reliance on the ER.
QE II Health Science Centre, 1278 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H2Y9 Canada. Robert.horton@cdha.nshealth.ca
Robert
R
Horton
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D058996:Quality Improvement