Early assisted discharge with generic community nursing for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: results of a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: To determine the effectiveness of early assisted discharge for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, with home care provided by generic community nurses, compared with usual hospital care. Prospective, randomised controlled and multicentre trial with 3-month follow-up. Five hospitals and three home care organisations in the Netherlands. Patients admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of COPD. Patients with no or limited improvement of respiratory symptoms and patients with severe unstable comorbidities, social problems or those unable to visit the toilet independently were excluded. Early discharge from hospital after 3 days inpatient treatment. Home visits by generic community nurses. Primary outcome measure was change in health status measured by the Clinical

SUBMITTER: Utens CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3488726 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature