Graduation Year
2024
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Angela Wood
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Second Advisor
Dr. Beth Killian
Department Affiliation
Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Abstract
Pharmacist-Led Inhaler Education as Part of a COPD Care Bundle to Reduce Hospital Readmissions
Stephanie Fields, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-C
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that results in decreased quality of life, premature death, and significant economic burden due to recurrent hospitalizations. The importance of proper disease management therefore cannot be overemphasized. The mainstay of COPD treatment is the use of inhaled medications. It is well documented that there are opportunities to improve the use of and adherence to these important medications to optimize quality of life and symptom control with the goal of avoiding the need for acute care services. Pharmacists are well positioned to educate clients on proper use of inhaled medications and can be utilized in the context of multidisciplinary hospital follow up care. The purpose of this project was to implement pharmacist-led inhaler use education as part of a COPD care bundle, including formal COPD symptom assessment, inhaler-use demonstration and evaluation of treatment adherence, and COPD exacerbation hospital readmission rates. Results indicated a significant improvement in COPD Assessment Test scores with a mean decrease of 4.54 from baseline. All participants were able to maintain proper inhaler use technique. The majority (92.86%) of participants achieved 80% or greater inhaler use adherence. The 30-day COPD-specific hospital readmission rate was improved to 6.67%.
Keywords: Inhaler education, COPD care bundle, pharmacist-led training, CAT score, hospital readmissions, medication adherence
Recommended Citation
Fields, Stephanie, "Pharmacist-Led Inhaler Education as Part of a COPD Care Bundle to Reduce Hospital Readmissions" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 113.
https://encompass.eku.edu/dnpcapstones/113
IRB Approval Number (if applicable)
BHL-24-1791
