Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as a health condition that makes it difficult to inhale and exhale which has resulted in many deaths as noted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). As the fourth cause of deaths among Americans resulting from long-term inhalation of pollutants, it is imperative to develop a long term management plan, establish standards and best practices that can lead to effective and efficient managing of the situation, and establish clinical standards based on evidence-based practice regarding the management of the health challenge
Developing overall case management plan
In developing the overall case management plan, it is relevant to factor in some factors that will enhance and facilitate the course and point out the functions and responsibility that each party has to play in regard to the plan that is the healthcare providers and the citizens at large. Such plans suit and be applied in any part of the country and the world at large if possible irrespective of other conditions. The measures have to be objectively applied and executed. In managing the case, strategies have to be laid out that target the causes of the disease and how to prevent them as well as manage those already infected and offering treatment (Barnes, 2009). Smoking cessation to both affected and not is an agreed principle that has to be encouraged by man in the health sector to prevent the continuous spread and infection of COPD. Smoking leads to many other diseases including cancer among other chronic diseases, and, therefore, educating the public about the possible health concerns that might result from smoking has to be done. Frequent checkups in the available health facilities should be encouraged for early detection and treatment. Launch early treatment for the health problem. To those already infected, the infection has to be managed to prevent further spread of the disease to the unaffected areas. This can be done by continuous and close monitoring of the disease and the parts affected while at the same time offering treatment to those affected.
Reduction of pollution especially air pollution that results from smoke and other chemicals especially in industrial places. Air release in the atmosphere has to be treated and be free of non pollutants that can lead to the mentioned condition and diseases of COPD. Treatment of other lung infections, such as cold and exacerbations, has contributed to the spread of COPD. It has been noted that OCPD results and is encouraged by other infection of the lung and, therefore, by managing other lung related challenges it would discourage its development. Management of inflammation has to be encouraged because inflammations play a significant role in the pathogenesis of COPD. It is noted that systemic and inhaled corticosteroids tempers this inflammation and positively alter the cause of the disease. This has to be encouraged because it has proved to be effective and, therefore, has to be encompassed in the overall case management plan (Pitta, 2005). Oxygen therapy and hypoxemia have proved to reduce mortality rates especially to patients in advanced stages of COPD because it positively affects pulmonary hemodynamic. Vaccination is another alternative for management of COPD and is offered through pneumococcal vaccine. Experts point out that those who are of age 65 and above should be encouraged to receive the vaccine as a prevention measure. Lung volume reduction surgery has been encouraged by some experts as an alternative in which other measures prove challenging. Management of sputum viscosity and secretion clearance in patients with COPD is an additional alternative that can be developed in the overall management plan.
Best practices Published Guidelines
Many health institutions and departments have documented the best practice that target prevention as well as treatment. COPD treatment is dependent on the stage of development and stage of detection. Prevention alternative for COPD is to be established and applied first as a measure that addresses long term health challenge. The level of development and stage of COPD determines the treatment action to be taken as pointed out in Barnes (2009) article titled Asthma and COPD: Basic mechanisms and clinical management. Surgery options should be resorted as the last action in the treatment of COPD. Consultations, as well as successful developments regarding research and treatment options, and discoveries relating to COPD should be published and shared across health care facilities and institutions (MacNee, ZuWallack & Keenan, 2009). Reviews of the established guidelines have to be done frequently to share the lessons learnt and improve the quality of services for COPD.
Clinical Pathways
Three are four major elements that determine and regulate the clinical pathway for patients with COPD. First is the standard inpatient management program protocol that offers guidelines and procedures to deal and handle patients under COPD care. It is detailed with information of the steps used to care and the spread of the disease in the clinics and other patients. Standard outpatient management protocol is detailed with steps used in taking at home so as to avoid the spread of the disease to other people (MacNee et. al., 2009). Establishing pathways for acute non- invasive ventilation (NIV) that facilitates also the prevention of further spread and, therefore, managing and controlling the health challenge. Finally, pathway for emergency department with evidence and prove that such patients are suffering from COPD have to be established. In designing of clinical pathways, a lot of factors and resources have to be considered such as financial positions and technical expertise.
References
Barnes, P. J. (2009). Asthma and COPD: Basic mechanisms and clinical management. Amsterdam: Academic.
MacNee, W., ZuWallack, R. L., & Keenan, J. (2009). Clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Caddo, OK: Professional Communications.
Pitta, F. (2005). Physical activities in daily life in patients with COPD: Characterization, impact of acute exacerbations and pulmonary rehabilitation. Leuven (Belgium: Leuven University Press.
