Affiliation:
1. Health Service Executive, Mayo Chronic Disease Care Hub, Community Healthcare West Mayo Ireland
2. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences Dublin Ireland
Abstract
AbstractAimTo determine the impact of home‐based management on hospital re‐admission rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).DesignSystematic review methodology was utilized, combining meta‐analysis, where appropriate, or a narrative analysis of the data from included studies.Data SourcesElectronic databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and SAGE journals for primary papers, 2015 to 2021, were searched between December 2020 and March 2021, followed by hand‐searching key journals, and reference lists of retrieved papers.MethodsThe review followed the guidance of PRISMA. Data were extracted using a predesigned data extraction tool. Quality appraisal was undertaken using RevMan ‘risk of bias’ tool. Meta‐analysis was undertaken using RevMan software.ResultsThis review integrates evidence from eight studies, five Random Control Trials, two observational studies and one retrospective study. The studies span three continents, Asia, Europe and North America, and include 3604 participants with COPD. Home‐based management in patients with COPD resulted in a statistically significant reduction in rates of hospital readmission. For the outcomes, length of stay and mortality, while slightly in favour of home‐based management, the results were not statistically significant.ConclusionGiven the burden of COPD on healthcare systems, and crucially on individuals, this review identified a reduction in hospital re‐admission rate, a clinically important outcome.ImpactThis study focused on the impact on hospital re‐admission rates among the COPD patient cohort when home‐based management was involved. A statistically significant reduction in rates of re‐admission to the hospital was identified. This is positive for the patient, in terms of hospital avoidance, and reduces the burden on hospital systems. Further research is needed to determine the impact on cost‐effectiveness and to quantify the most ideal type of care package that would be recommended for home‐based management.