NNUH respiratory team sets highest standards

A national audit has revealed that the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital provides the highest standards of care for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The audit analysed the care and treatment of 58 patients from NNUH and found that the hospital performed well above the national average on a number of clinical quality standards.

The National COPD Audit for 2008 was conducted by the Royal College of Physicians, the British Thoracic Society and the British Lung Foundation with the aim of improving the management and care of patients with COPD. The results for NNUH showed that:

• 95% per cent of patients were seen by a respiratory specialist during their admission compared to a national average of 78%
  
• The management of patients requiring oxygen was impressive, with 98% of patients receiving controlled (safe) oxygen therapy compared to a national average of 70%
  
• 82% were discharged under the care of a respiratory consultant compared to 53% nationally
  
• 22% were accepted for an early discharge scheme compared with 18% nationally. Of those, only 8% remained on the scheme at home for more than a week compared to 50% nationally, reflecting the efficiency and expertise of the early discharge team
  
• Only 5% of COPD patients died in hospital compared with 8% nationally
  

The respiratory team at NNUH have made a number of improvements in recent years, including setting up an outreach team of specialist respiratory nurses to enable more patients to be safely discharged from hospital.

Respiratory consultant Dr Mark Pasteur commented: “These results are a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the whole respiratory team. COPD is a debilitating condition and our practice is geared towards helping patients to get access to good treatment quickly so that they can return home safely without delay. We are indebted to consultant chest physician Dr Simon Watkin for leading this work and to the specialist respiratory nurses for the excellent support they offer to our patients.”

Notes for editors

Facts about COPD

• COPD is the fifth biggest cause of death in the UK and the second most common cause of emergency admission to hospital.
• With effective services and treatment, exacerbations of COPD can be shortened, reducing the need for hospital admission, reducing lengths of stay and improving the outcomes and quality of life for patients