Due to the nature of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) early diagnosis is essential to ensure patients receive the necessary treatment and education to help reduce progression and facilitate self-management of the condition, and NHS Lanarkshire have recently introduced a range of services to facilitate the diagnosis, treatment and education of patients diagnosed with COPD
Outreach Spirometry Service
In order to facilitate early diagnosis of COPD and Asthma, Lanarkshire GPs are now able to refer patients directly to the Outreach Spirometry Service. The Respiratory Laboratories on each acute hospital site operate a physiologist led “straight to test” spirometry service within each locality for the initial diagnosis of COPD and asthma. The outcome test report and interpretation are sent to the referring GP.
COPD Self-management & Rehabilitation
Following diagnosis of COPD, patients can be referred to the COPD Self-management & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme, depending on disease severity. Those patients with mild COPD will be given education and information on how to manage their condition and will be signposted to activity schemes and other services as required, e.g. Stop Smoking Service.
Patients diagnosed with moderate or severe COPD can be referred to the Self-management & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme. This is an 8 week programme, with 2 classes per week, consisting of 1 hour physical activity, 45 minutes educational input relevant to managing the condition and 15 minutes relaxation.
Referral to the services can be made by your GP, Practice Nurse, Respiratory Consultant or Respiratory Nurse Specialist. Classes are held in all three acute hospital sites with some classes also being held in local sports centres. All classes are led by a Physiotherapist and Respiratory Nurse Specialist.
Respiratory Early Supported Discharge
Patients with COPD who are admitted to hospital due an exacerbation of their condition, will be seen in hospital by a Respiratory Nurse Specialist, who will assess their condition on a daily basis to facilitate an early discharge. The patient will be followed up at home by the Respiratory Nurse Specialist for a period of 14 days after discharge, and then discharged into the care of their GP.