VISN 23 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Case Management Using Home Telehealth Equipment

VISN 23 COPD Case Management Using Home Telehealth Equipment

Looking at the use of home telehealth equipment and it's place in self management and education in patients who suffer moderate to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The patients in this group would be those patients who traditionally suffer from emphysema, and/or chronic bronchitis.

Patients who have been admitted to the hospital, or who have frequent urgent care visits, who also suffer from COPD exacerbations will be given a home monitoring system. Daily, the patient will respond to a series of questions. The results of the question answers will be remotely monitored by a nurse case manager.

The objective is to measure compliance, resource use, and the ability for early recognition of an exacerbation of their COPD, and early implementation of therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• One or more hospital admissions or emergency room visits in last 2 Years.
• Patient must meet the VA home telehealth guideline that the patient is determined to be at high risk for poor clinical outcomes or increased unplanned health care utilization based on disease specific criteria and/or determined by physician provider

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any unstable medical condition that the investigator thinks would preclude effective participation in the study, or which would be expected to reduce life expectancy to less than 1 year.
• Unwilling or unable to provide consent
• Uncooperative or combative
• Does not have a compatible phone line
• Inability to use home telemedicine equipment