People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often need additional support following discharge from hospital. This helps to improve their health outcomes and quality of life, while also decreasing the risk of future unplanned returns to hospital.
Thanks to the generous support of WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), Asthma WA is working in collaboration with Silver Chain to develop the COPD Community Integrated Care Program that will provide this important support and education to people with COPD who are recently discharged from hospital.
What the service will look like
Upon discharge from hospital, patients with COPD can be referred to both Silver Chain and Asthma WA. Silver Chain will undertake a comprehensive holistic assessment with the patient to ensure that they have appropriate referrals, prescriptions and supports that they need for their respiratory condition as well as any other health conditions they may have.
Following this, Asthma WA’s Respiratory Health Team will step in to provide specific COPD education and support, for a three to six month period. During this time the person can easily access our support via telehealth and telephone, or home visit if required. We will be able to assist with device technique education, encourage regular appointments with their doctor, and help with referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation and other services that they may require.
This service is an exciting new development that will provide people with a ‘safety net’ to ensure that they receive better care in their community, and we hope it will have a positive impact on their long-term health. It will also give Asthma WA the opportunity to increase our presence in the hospital system and will enhance our ability to provide services for people with asthma at the same time.
More information will be available on this service soon.