Improving Outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Optimizing Maintenance Therapy Across Health Care Settings

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Disease exacerbations account for almost 1 million hospitalizations each year in the United States. As COPD exacerbations become more frequent, patients are subjected to a perpetual cycle of disease relapse, declining lung function, and increasing disability. When patients are hospitalized, the health care team must ensure that symptoms are well-controlled, a structured discharge plan is put in place, and treatment adherence is emphasized; otherwise, additional exacerbations are likely, leading to hospital readmissions and increased risks for patient morbidity and mortality. The aim of this e-Health Source program is to educate pulmonologists, hospitalists, and other healthcare providers on best practices for comprehensive patient evaluations, individualized treatment regimens, drug delivery device selection, and ongoing monitoring of therapeutic outcomes, particularly for patients who have been recently hospitalized for disease exacerbations.