Reducing avoidable COPD emergency presentations: An integrated cross-health service initiative

Grant ID: EMSS-364R28-2017

Project Summary

Almost 3% of consumers of healthcare services in the Darling Downs, West Moreton and Gold Coast (Including Robina) regions are estimated to have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); which is somewhat higher than the state average of 2.4%. COPD is the second leading cause of avoidable hospital admissions. Anecdotal evidence indicates continued over-utilisation of frontline resources (e.g., Emergency Department [ED]), and potential gaps in outreach services (e.g. underutilised services).

This project will inform the implementation and evaluation of referral treatment initiatives (e.g., anxiety management, smoking cessation referral, and quality intra-professional care [IPC] programs), based on identified causal factors.

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Outcomes

This project sought to understand the major contributors surrounding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) presentation in South Queensland emergency departments (ED), in order to develop a baseline measure for future research intervention.

Researchers conducted qualitative interviews with staff and patients, a scoping review, a data summary of COPD admissions, and a health economic analysis of ED presentation cost at three Queensland Health sites.

The total cost of COPD patients’ hospital stay was $42.14 million for the time period 2016-2018. Patient age and time spent in the ED were significantly associated with hospital length of stay, with older adults were reported as having a higher risk of re-presentation to the ED. Results also revealed several areas worthy of future research, one of which is the introduction of Nurse Case management for patients presenting with COPD.

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