Impact of an Inpatient COPD Care Pathway on Hospital Care Process and Outcome Metrics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variable hospital care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and underutilization of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) may contribute to poor outcomes. Clinical pathways can optimize care by providing real-time decision support based on evidence and expert consensus. An inpatient COPD pathway was implemented in May 2021.

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the impact of the COPD pathway on length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, resource use, PR referrals, and readmissions.

Study design and methods

A 2-part COPD pathway embedded into the electronic health record was built by multidisciplinary providers across a large academic medical center. Providers could place orders and document notes directly from the pathway. We identified all COPD hos

SUBMITTER: Kim N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12429535 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature