Managing COPD as a Long Term Condition

Source:  NHS Improvement

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Date of publication:  August 2011

Publication type:  Report

In a nutshell: Since July 2010, NHS Improvement – Lung has worked with a number of clinical teams across England as part of the Department of Health Respiratory Programme.  This report (mid-way through the project cycle)  shares the learning from the testing phase of the work.  Through a series of case studies and examples, it highlights areas of innovative and emerging good practice that can be used locally to deliver improvements for COPD patients and their carers.

Length of publication:  48 pages [pdf]

Better care for people with long-term conditions: the quality and good governance of telehealth services

Source: Good Governance Institute

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Date of publication:  July 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report highlights the challenges that currently exist in the healthcare sector and includes a set of detailed recommendations for healthcare commissioners, providers and policy makers to ensure those deploying telehealth services address critical governance, quality and safety issues. Includes several examples of using telehealth for COPD services.

Length of publication:  40 page pdf

Acknowledgement: NHSNetworks Commissioning Zone

British Lung Foundation’s search for the missing millions of COPD patients

Source: Thorax, December 2009, vol./is. 64/(A154-A155)

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Abstract

In a nutshell: British Lung Foundation (BLF) surveys identified UK hotspots where the most acute admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are expected. Two top hotspots, Nottingham and South Tyneside, were targeted with awareness-raising events. These events were supported by extensive publicity campaigns directed at GPs, pharmacies, community health centres and libraries with local media involvement. In South Tyneside there were also telemarketing campaigns directed towards at-risk groups.   Day awareness-raising events were arranged at eight venues – supermarkets, shopping malls or Bingo halls – where spirometry was offered by trained respiratory nurses using Microlab portable spirometers.  Demonstrates the benefits of identifying and targeting hotspots to identify and treat people with previously undiagnosed COPD. This is crucial to improving care and equally of access for this large population of disadvantaged patients.

Length of publication:  1 page

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Acknowledgement: EMBASE

Specialist community nurses: A critical analysis of their role in the management of long-term conditions

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, October 2009, 6(10), pages 2550-67

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Date of publication: Oct 2009

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Identifies strategies in use by specialist community and public health nurses in the prevention, care and management of individuals withlong-term conditions, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal disorders.  This review reports on impact and value of interventions used by specialist community nurses in the prevention and management of long term conditions, and makes recommendations for improving services.

Length of publication: 17 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: MEDLINE

Improving the health and well-being of people with long term conditions

Source: DH – what’s new

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: Web page

In a nutshell: This information tool for commissioners aims to share a common vision of what a good service for people with LTCs is, and to provide some practical suggestions for commissioners to help them achieve that vision. Includes a couple of COPD examples.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: With a link to 67p pdf.

Acknowledgement: DH

Experience of continuity of care of patients with multiple long-term conditions in England

Source: Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2009 Apr;14(2):82-7.

Follow this link for an abstract

Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The authors undertook qualitative semi-structured interviews to examine patients’ experiences of continuity of care in the context of different long-term conditions and models of care, and to explore implications for the future organization care of long-term conditions. They conclude that continuity experiences, meanings and expectations, as well as barriers and facilitators, are influenced by the model of care rather than type of condition.

Length of publication: 1 page (original research = 5 pages)

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: PubMed

GPs and clinicians report on success of telehealth

Source: EU Health News

Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Over 17.5 million people in the UK live with a long-term condition, and there is a growing acceptance of telehealth to enhance quality of life for people with conditions such as COPD, chronic heart failure and diabetes.
Sheffield PCT is using telehealth solutions to tackle the issue of COPD in the community by monitoring patients in their own homes. This innovative approach has seen COPD-related hospital admissions decrease by 50%, allowing them to reinvest in the service and home visits by community COPD nurses have been reduced by 80%, cutting travel and enabling healthcare staff to prioritise their workload.

Length of publication: 1 page

Acknowledgement: www.ehealthnews.eu