Hospital launches new service to care for chest patients at home

June 28, 2001

Patients with acute chest conditions can now be cared for in their own homes with a new service from the West Suffolk Hospital.

The Acute Respiratory Team treats patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis who are well enough to be looked after at home.  Set up by consultant respiratory physician Dr Clare Laroche, on average twenty patients a month are seen by the Team.

Shirley Brigham and Elaine Page, two experienced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) nurses, administer the scheme.  Patients are assessed soon after admission to hospital and if well enough to be treated at home, Shirley or Elaine will arrange their discharge.   Patients are visited daily to provide care and are assessed when fit enough to return to the care of their GP.

“The service has been well received by patients and GPs”, said Shirley. “Once assessed in hospital and starting to improve, patients tend to recover better at home than in hospital.  Many patients feel less depressed if they can get home quickly.  The service also frees beds in hospital for patients with more serious conditions.”

Education is an important part of the Team’s work.  The COPD nurses have considerable experience of chest problems, and educate patients on taking and understanding their medication, and when to see their GP if signs of infection arise.  The nurses also measure blood gases in the patient’s home, supporting those still dependent on oxygen.  Close links with social services and community nurses ensure that care packages meet all patients needs.

Patients are issued with their own ‘Integrated Care Pathway’, notes which are updated daily and record their care from admission to the West Suffolk Hospital onwards.  If their condition worsens and they have to be readmitted to hospital, any clinician who treats them has a comprehensive set of medical records immediately available.

“If more funding becomes available, I would like to see the service extending into the community,” said Dr Laroche.  “The team could then carry out an initial assessment in the patient’s home and hopefully avoid admission at all in some cases.”