Optimising Care for Patients with COPD in Line with Local and National Guidelines through Joint Working in Birmingham and Solihull ICB & Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB (ID 531)
GSK
Funding: Funding for two separate Joint Working projects was provided by GSK
Abstract
INTRODUCTIONBirmingham and Solihull ICB & Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB participated in separate Joint Working partnerships with GSK to optimise the management of COPD patients and address the backlog of care. Combined results are presented.
METHODS
Patients on the COPD registers were stratified by recorded symptoms and exacerbations, discussed with each practice’s lead GP, and eligible patients were invited to pharmacist-led clinics.
8,738 COPD patients were reviewed by clinical pharmacists from Interface Clinical Services in 715 clinic days across 154 GP practices.
Pharmacists recommended individual pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for GP approval following holistic patient review encompassing key guideline-directed health checks.
RESULTS
In the 12 months prior, 40% (3494) of patients reviewed had no recorded COPD review and 72% (6312) had no recorded inhaler technique assessment. Post review, patients with a recorded inhaler technique assessment in past 12 months increased 298% (8430 patients).
Interventions, where clinically appropriate, were made with the aim to improve symptom control and reduce exacerbation risk (and thereby hospitalisation) and additionally, to reduce inhaler carbon emissions in line with strategic NHS ‘Net Zero’ ambitions.
- 72% (6289) patients reviewed had a pharmacological change to their therapy in line with clinical guidelines.
- 23% (2030) patients’ COPD therapy was escalated to manage symptoms/exacerbations
- 49% (4259) patients had a change in inhaled therapy device or molecule based on inhaler technique or rationalisation of current regimen.
There was a 6.3% reduction in maintenance devices prescribed. 76% of these were lower carbon (dry powder/soft mist) devices following the reviews, compared to 67% before.
CONCLUSION
These two partnerships demonstrated proactive review of patients was effective in improving access to care and appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of illness on patients and the NHS. It also provided educational and mentorship opportunities to the multi-disciplinary teams across the practices.
Conflicts of interest: KL Straughan is a GSK employee and holds financial equities in GSK.
SH Quoraishi is an independent pharmaceutical physician contractor on assignment at GSK.
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