Pulmonary rehabilitation following hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of COPD: referrals, uptake and adherence.
BACKGROUND
Several randomised controlled trials support the provision of early pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following hospitalisation for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, there is little real-world data regarding uptake, adherence and completion rates.


METHODS
An audit was conducted to prospectively document referral, uptake, adherence and completion rates for early post-hospitalisation outpatient PR in Northwest London over a 12-month period.


RESULTS
Out of 448 hospital discharges for AECOPD, 90 referrals for post-hospitalisation PR were received. Only 43 patients received and completed PR (9.6% of all hospital discharges) despite a fully commissioned PR service.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the strong evidence base, there are poor referral and uptake rates for early outpatient PR following hospitalisation for AECOPD, with only a small proportion of the intended target population receiving this intervention.
NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College, , Harefield, UK.
Sarah E
SE
Jones
Stuart A
SA
Green
Amy L
AL
Clark
Mandy J
MJ
Dickson
Ann-Marie
AM
Nolan
Clare
C
Moloney
Samantha S C
SS
Kon
Faisal
F
Kamal
Joy
J
Godden
Cathy
C
Howe
Derek
D
Bell
Sharon
S
Fleming
B Mimi
BM
Haselden
William D-C
WD
Man
D000208:Acute Disease; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008485:Medical Audit; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
COPD Exacerbations; Pulmonary Rehabilitation