A retrospective survey of the emergency department program ‘we-care’ on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

International Conference on Nursing & Emergency Medicine

December 02-04, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Eliza ML Wong

Posters: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: Frequent attendance in emergency department (ED) and subsequent hospitalization are common for COPD patients who live in the community. A program ?We-Care? was implemented in an emergency medical ward (EMW) since 2009 to provide a seamless support for older patients who had chronic disease. Discharge planning and health education on own chronic disease management and continual support by community nurse or Community Geriatric Multidisciplinary Team Service is highly emphasized on discharge. The program aims to provide quality continual care, reduce avoidable ED re-attendance and hospitalization among patients with chronic disease and to decrease healthcare burden. Sampling Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital data is performed. All COPD patients who were cared by this program were eligible for study from mid 2009-mid 2012. The demographic information, clinical information, ED attendance and length of stay (LOS) in EMW were analyzed. Results: A total of 3600 patients with chronic disease received the program while 813 patients were patients with COPD. Of COPD patients, the mean age was 79.12 (SD 7.34, median 80) and 84% (n=683) were male. 59.7% COPD patients were discharged home directly from EMW and the mean LOS of EMW was 1.27 days (SD 0.59). COPD patient?s ED re-attendance rate within 48 hours was 1.84% (n=15). Conclusions: The study results support the effectiveness of the program ?We-Care? in reducing ED re-admission and avoidable hospitalization for patients with COPD. Provision of home health care advice and continual professional support may be important for older patients with COPD.

Biography :

Eliza ML Wong has completed her Ph.D. in 2009 from Graduate School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is now working as the assistant Professor of the Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interest covers area of emergency nursing, cardiac nursing, educational intervention, e-health and outcome evaluation. She has published more than 25 papers in international and local journals and has obtained several competitive research grants since 2005.