Gaps in the inpatient management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and impact of an evidence-based order set.

backgroundEvidence-based, guideline-recommended practices improve multiple outcomes in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), but are incompletely implemented in actual practice. Admission order sets with evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic guidance have enabled quality improvement and guideline implementation in other conditions.

objectiveTo characterize the magnitude of care gaps and the effect of order sets on quality of care in patients with AECOPD.

methodsThe authors prospectively designed a standardized chart review protocol to document process of care and health care utilization before and after implementation of AECOPD order sets at an academic hospital in Toronto, Ontario.

resultsA total of 243 total AECOPD admissions and multiple important care gaps were identified. There were 74 admissions in the pre-order set period (January to June 2009) and 169 in the order set period (October 2009 to September 2010). The order set was used in 78 of 169 (46.2%) admissions. In the order set period, we observed improvements in respiratory therapy educational referrals (five of 74 [6.8%] versus 48 of 169 [28.4%]; P<0.01); venous thromboembolism prophylaxis prescriptions (when indicated) (15 of 68 [22.1%] versus 100 of 134 [74.6%]; P<0.01); systemic steroid prescriptions (55 of 74 (74.3%) versus 151 of 169 [89.4%]; P<0.01]); and appropriate antibiotic prescriptions (nine of 24 [37.5%] versus 61 of 88 [69.3%]; P<0.01). The mean (± SD) length of stay also decreased from 6.5 ± 7.7 days before order sets to 4.1 ± 5.0 days with order sets (P=0.017).

conclusionsCare gaps in inpatient AECOPD management were large and evidence-based order sets may improve guideline adherence at the point of care. Randomized trials including patient outcomes are required to further evaluate this knowledge translation intervention.