Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

1. What is the decision or change you are facing or struggling with where a summary of the evidence would be helpful?

Why are less than 4% of persons who can benefit referred to pulmonary rehabilitation programs? Why do some persons, with chronic lung disease, who are referred, not participate? Why no follow up? Why do providers, such as hospitals and clinics, not have pulmonary rehabilitation programs?

2. Why are you struggling with this issue?

There exist many published studies that describe the clinical and financial benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation. Even though there is ample evidence of the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation, there has been relatively progress in improving prescription/referral rates by physicians(less than 4% of those patients who can benefit). Moreover, given the proven clinical value of pulmonary rehabilitation; far too few facilities are available and accessible to the few who are referred, this compounding the problem. The problem is multifaceted including all components of our health care system.

3. What do you want to see changed? How will you know that your issue is improving or has been addressed?

More physician will prescribe/refer patients to pulmonary rehabilitation programs. More COPD, and other chronic lung patients, will participate is such programs. Preventable hospital admissions will decrease. Patient's respiratory quality of life will increase. Exacerbation rates will decrease.

4. When do you need the evidence report?

Friday, January 1, 2021

5. What will you do with the evidence report?

If we can identify the reasons for under-utilization; we can systematically address and remove them. physicians, chronic lung patients, providers and payers, need to know of the possible benefits and their attendant impact clinically and financially Current barriers cut across all sectors, from physician to patient to provider to payer We will distribute the report and make efforts to educate stakeholders regarding ways to remove barriers.

Supporting Document

National Inpatient Hospital Costs: The Most Expensive Conditions by Payer, 2017 (PDF)

Title or short description: Expense of preventable hospital admissions for COPD

Comments or notes about this file: This is HCUP's latest report using 2017 data. Costs which are reported at approximately $7billion in '17, as continue to climb when compared with previous reports. The status quo is not working clinically or financially. Please check previous HCUP reports toes the trend upward unpreventable admissions and costs. Pulmonary rehabilitation has shown to decrease admissions, but is under prescribed and under-utilized when to is. It is one of the 3 mainstays of treatment and management of chronic pulmonary diseases, but grossly underutilized compared to pharmaceutical interventions. What are the reasons?

(Optional) About You

What is your role or perspective? Patient

If you are you making a suggestion on behalf of an organization, please state the name of the organization: US COPD Coalition

May we contact you if we have questions about your nomination? Yes