The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership recently released the latest 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Clinical Audit' report as part of the National Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Audit Programme (NACAP). The NACAP aims to enhance the quality of care, services and clinical outcomes for patients with asthma and COPD across England, Scotland and Wales.
The report pertains to individuals with acute exacerbations of COPD who were discharged from English and Welsh hospitals between September 2017 and September 2018.
Key findings of the report were:
- Spirometry test results were not recorded in 59.5 per cent of admissions.
- Of all the patients that received non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on admission, only 21 per cent received it within two hours of arrival at the hospital.
- A review from a member of the respiratory team was available for 84.7 per cent of admissions. The review was conducted within 24 hours for 64 per cent of these admissions.
- Smoking status was recorded for 94 per cent of patients; however, only 67.1 per cent of smokers were offered pharmacological treatment for smoking cessation.
- A discharge bundle was provided to 67.2 per cent of admissions upon their release from the hospital.
Three quality improvement recommendations were made based on the findings:
- Spirometry results should be made available to all patients admitted for acute exacerbation of COPD.
- Patients who require NIV should receive it within 120 minutes of arrival at the hospital.
- All current smokers should be identified and prescribed pharmacological treatment to quit smoking, subject to their willingness.
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