Role of the Management Pathway in the Care of Advanced COPD Patients in Their Own Homes

Source: Care Management Journals

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: December 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a management pathway in the care of oxygen-dependent COPD patients in their homes. During the study period, the overall hospitalization rate
dropped (11% per month at the second visit vs. 2.1% per month at the third visit). The patients’ understanding of the disease improved substantially (21.6% vs. 83.9%), knowledge of medications the patients were taking improved (56.0% vs. 87.0%), and appropriate use of medications increased (52.0% vs. 86.0%). 

Length of publication:  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: CINAHL

Pharmacist-led intervention study to improve inhalation technique in asthma and COPD patients

Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The aims of this study were to survey the quality of inhalation technique in patients and to determine the effect of a single intervention in community pharmacies by means of standardized procedures. At baseline 597 patients (78.9%) made at least one mistake whereas this number dropeed to 214 or 28.3% after one appointment with the community phamacist.

Length of publication:  10 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: EMBASE

Are evaluated respiratory service developments implemented into clinical practice?

Source: Quality and Safety Health Care 2010;19:383-386

Follow this link for the full text (NHS Athens required)

Date of publication: Oct 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The researchers identified 36 reported evaluated respiratory service developments and contacted the authors to find out if the development had been implemented in their institution.  About half the reported developments had been implemented and the researchers describe the reasons for this.

Length of publication:  4 page pdf

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