Clinical Approaches to Minimize Readmissions of Patients with COPD: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease and also a lead-ing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The frequent readmissions of patients with COPD may reduce lung function, mental health, and quality of life; it also increases the cost of treatment and mortality rate. Some common factors that may increase the readmission frequency of COPD pa-tients include delay of diagnosis, advanced lung function decline, lack of adherence for COPD treatment, ineffective management of comorbidities, acute exacerbation or stable COPD, and infec-tions. However, these factors might be well controlled with appropriate approaches to minimize the readmission of patients with COPD. In this review, we propose a strategy with a seven-step ap-proach to reduce the readmission in COPD patients, including early diagnosis of COPD, optimal treatment for stable COPD, targeted management of comorbidities, adequate therapy for acute ex-acerbations, individualized action plans for COPD patients, effective prevention of bacterial and vi-ral infections, and adaptive program of pulmonary rehabilitation. Thus, implementing this approach may reduce the risk of readmission in patients with COPD.