Reducing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 30-Day Readmissions

A Nurse-Led Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a debilitating disease resulting in frequent hospitalizations and increased healthcare costs. As leaders of multidisciplinary teams, acute care nurse leaders are challenged to reduce readmissions and costs. In October 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanded readmission penalties for 30-day readmissions to include COPD, making this an important issue for nurse leaders. This article describes how a regional medical center was able to decrease COPD readmissions.