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  • Home supported discharge was as effective and safe as standard hospital admission in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Home supported discharge was as effective and safe as standard hospital admission in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.4.3.89

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    Skwarska E, Cohen G, Skwarski KM, et al.Randomised controlled trial of supported discharge in patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Thorax2000 Nov;55:907–12OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    QUESTION: Is immediate or next day home supported discharge as effective and safe as standard hospital admission in patients presenting to hospital with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

    Design

    Randomised {allocation concealed}*, unblinded, controlled trial with 8 weeks of follow up.

    Setting

    A hospital in Edinburgh, UK.

    Patients

    184 patients (mean age 69 y, 53% women) who presented to hospital on a weekday with an exacerbation of COPD. Exclusion criteria were an impaired level of consciousness, acute confusion, acute changes on radiography, an arterial pH <7.35, or a serious medical or social reason for admission. Follow up was 93%.

    Intervention

    122 patients were allocated to home support and were discharged immediately or the next day with an appropriate treatment package (antibiotics, corticosteroids, nebulised bronchodilators, and, if necessary, home oxygen). These patients had a home visit by a respiratory nurse the day after discharge and every 2–3 days thereafter until recovery, at which time they were discharged from follow up. Nurses reviewed patient progress weekly with the consultant. Specialist advice was available daily and changes in prescription …

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    Footnotes

    • Sources of funding: Scottish Office and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Associated Hospitals Trust Endowments.

    • For correspondence: Professor W MacNee, Respiratory Medicine Unit, Colt Research Laboratories, Wilkie Building, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK. Fax +44 (0)131 536 2274.

    • ↵* Information provided by author.