COPD Care Pathways, COVID and Institutional Memory Loss

Title: COPD Care Pathways, COVID and Institutional Memory Loss
Author(s): M Higgins D Curley H Johnson S Hegarty L Cormican
Institution: Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown
Poster: Click to view poster
Category: COPD/Asthma
Abstract: A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) carries significant morbidity and mortality which often results in admission. The End to End COPD Model of Care (2019) provides guidelines for best practice. COPD Quality Improvement Initiative (COPD QI) was rolled out to support the implementation of the guidelines in 2018 and 2019. The first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated restructuring of hospital services and redeployment of staff. We aimed to audit COPD care in our institution based on this guideline in the aftermath of the first surge of the COVID 19 pandemic.

This retrospective study reviewed 20 patient charts with admissions for an exacerbation of COPD between September and November 2020. Data was collected with a predetermined pro forma based on standards in the End to End COPD Model of Care and previous COPD QI. The results are highlighted in table 1.

COPD pathways are very likely to have been impacted by the changes forced on hospitals during the COVID surges. Institutional memory is short lived. We recommend that a dedicated staff member is appointed in each institution to champion and drive the changes and standards endorsed by the End to End COPD Model of Care and COPD QI.