Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Delivering COPD Care Across the Continuum

Only 20 percent  of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at the hospital were properly diagnosed and staged with spirometry. Because of this, care was not evidence based, and there was poor coordination between sites of care. The team developed a COPD program spanning the continuum of care. By careful attention to organizational dynamics, the hospital was able to do an initial implementation within five months. Key outcomes included improvement in proper diagnosis and staging of COPD, adoption of one evidence-based guideline for care, standard patient education across the continuum of care and standards for treatment.

This was done at multiple sites of care including ambulatory physician offices, the emergency dpartment, inpatient and home care. In addition, the team developed partners at nursing homes, long-term acute care and medical supply organizations in the community.

Read the whole case study below (click "view item"). 

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)