COPD: The Role of the Pulmonologist & PCP

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Each year, more than 1 million people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present to the emergency department (ED) with an exacerbation, with up to almost 30% requiring ...

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Each year, more than 1 million people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present to the emergency department (ED) with an exacerbation, with up to almost 30% requiring mechanical ventilation. The in-hospital burden, which costs as much a $5.7 billion in hospital stays, is compounded by the presence of comorbidities—eg, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and depression—that increase the risk of disease progression. Pulmonologists, primary care clinicians, and hospital pharmacists need to adopt validated guidelines to avert exacerbations and to work in concert to prepare COPD patients who are admitted to the hospital with safe transitions of care—at admission, at discharge, and post discharge. This process also involves engagement with family, coordinated follow-up visits with primary care physicians and respiratory therapists, pulmonary rehabilitation, and guidance on use of the proper medications and delivery devices to ensure adherence.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing the activity, the participant should be better able to:Implement strategies for early recognition and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for prevention as well as management of acute exacerbationsReview and synthesize expert guidelines for COPD assessment and management, so as to optimally choose from the many treatment agents availableDevelop strategies for coordinating COPD care across multiple disciplines and care settings to help improve access to supportive services, enhance the level of care for COPD and comorbidities, and reduce hospital readmissionsEstablish specific protocols for educating COPD patients about their disease, associated risk factors, treatment options, adherence to treatment regimens, and overall goals of therapy

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