Post-discharge extended care contributes to the disease control of patients with COPD: a Chinese study

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended care in patients with COPD.Patients and methodsA total of 140 patients with GOLD-2 to -4 of COPD were included in final analysis. The care efficacy was evaluated by the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), pulmonary function test and blood gas analysis.ResultsThe extended care improved the activity ability of COPD patients, relieved the clinical symptoms as well as reduced the impact degree of COPD to daily life (P<0.05). In addition, the extended care improved the mental health condition of patients with COPD compared with usual care (P<0.05). Moreover, the extended care improved the ventilation function of COPD patients, reduced the acute exacerbation rate and improved the blood gas levels compared with the usual care (P<0.05).ConclusionThe extended care improves the quality of life, respiratory function and the mental health condition of patients with COPD after discharge, indicating that it contributes to the disease control of patients with COPD.

The use of mind mapping in health education in extended care for children with caries

“…3,4 Previous studies indicate that extended care health education can help children and their parents to establish correct oral behavioural habits and reduce the incidence of caries. [5][6][7] Ye and Li 8 found that the effect of extended care is influenced by patient participation. Clinical nursing staffs have focused on combining extended care health education measures with patient participation.…”