Impact of a care pathway for COPD on adherence to guidelines and hospital readmission: a cluster randomized trial

• DOI: 10.2147/copd.s119849
• Publication Date: 2016-11-24T02:09:40Z
• Authors: Kris Vanhaecht; Cathy Lodewijckx; Walter Sermeus; Marc Decramer; Svin Deneckere; Fabrizio Leigheb; Paulo Boto; Seval Kul; Deborah Seys; Massimiliano Panella
• Keywords: Rate ratio

Current in-hospital management of exacerbations COPD is suboptimal, and patient outcomes are poor. The primary aim this study was to evaluate whether implementation a care pathway (CP) for improves the 6 months readmission rate. Secondary were 30 days rate, mortality, length stay adherence guidelines.An international cluster randomized controlled trial performed in Belgium, Italy Portugal. General hospitals randomly assigned an intervention group where CP implemented or control usual provided. targeted population included patients with exacerbation.Twenty-two included, whereof 11 (n=174 patients) (n=168 group. had no impact on However, rate significantly lower (9.7%; 15/155) compared (15.3%; 22/144) (odds ratio =0.427; 95% confidence interval 0.222-0.822; P=0.040). Performance process indicators higher 2 24 main (8.3%).The exacerbation has but it reduces