A review of discharge planning for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at high risk for readmission

The National Institute of Health Research Northwest London Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) is an alliance of academic and healthcare organisations working to develop and promote a more efficient and sustainable uptake of innovative and cost-effective interventions into care for patients. Patients who require long-term care for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have differing service needs and are often involved with many healthcare organisations and health professionals. A CLAHRC work stream has focused on the development and roll out of a COPD discharge care bundle in North West London in order to reduce hospital readmissions and improve the patient's quality of life. There is evidence that in the management of COPD a discharge care bundle for COPD patients could prove beneficial. There are gaps in knowledge requiring further research and considering all readmissions as a failure of care must be undertaken with caution. However, putting into practice that which is already known should have a positive effect upon outcomes.