Decreasing Hospital Readmissions Utilizing an Evidence-Based COPD Care Bundle

Abstract

Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Management of COPD hospitalizations utilizing an evidence-based care bundle can provide consistent quality of care and may reduce readmissions. Methods This single center retrospective cohort study evaluated readmission rates in patients hospitalized with a COPD exacerbation. Patients in the pre-intervention cohort received usual care while post-intervention cohort received an innovative inpatient COPD care bundle. The bundle focused on optimizing care in five areas: consults, inpatient interventions, education, transitions of care, and after discharge care. To ensure consistency of interventions, a formal checklist of items was maintained. Results In this study, 149 subjects were included in the pre-intervention cohort and 214 subjects were included in the post-intervention cohort. Thirty-day readmission rates were lower in the post-intervention cohort, 22.4% vs. 38.3% (p=0.001). A reduction in 60-day and 90-day readmission rates was also observed, 13.7% vs. 40.3% (p< 0.001) and 10.1% vs. 32.2% (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion Bundled care is an effective and inexpensive method for institutions to provide consistent and quality care. The findings of this study demonstrate that the implementation of a COPD care bundle is an effective strategy to decrease hospital readmissions.