Nurse-led Integrated Care in COPD Patients With a Pulmonary Exacerbation

Nurse-led Integrated Care to Improve Quality of Life in COPD Patients With a Pulmonary Exacerbation

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect and effectiveness of the nurse-led integrated care programme for the management of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) exacerbations on patients' quality of life, rehospitalisation and exacerbation rate, illness-related emotional distress, selected health behaviours and cost-utility at three months. Furthermore, understanding barriers and facilitators to implementation success is of interest.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD (GOLD 1-4)
• Hospitalisation due to a COPD exacerbation and decision to start with steroids and/or antibiotics (severe exacerbation)
• Age ≥ 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium)
• Not speaking German, French, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Serbian, Tamil, Hindi, Turkish or Slovakian