An initiative to reduce emergency department visits and hospital readmissions by sufferers of COPD might expand to cover other chronic conditions. Launched in 2015 as a collaborative project between Canadian Foundation for Healthcare (CFHI) and provincial health systems, the Inspired initiative brings services and education to the home instead of having patients repeatedly seek hospital treatment when exhibiting symptoms. The team approach includes a family physician, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and acute care workers that help patients develop an action plan to be able to respond and react to their own warning signs and symptoms. Since the program was launched, readmissions by patients in the program under Horizon Health dropped 69%. CFHI selected six teams for the next phase of this multi-year effort:
- Alberta Health Services (Edmonton Zone)
- Manitoba (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority and Prairie Mountain Health)
- Joseph Brant Hospital and Caroline Family Health Team (Ontario)
- Horizon Health Network
- Nova Scotia Health Authority
- Health PEI
Related News:
La santé nous habite : La transition vers des soins de proximité pour les patients souffrant d’une maladie chronique réduit considérablement le nombre d’hospitalisations - FCASS
Innovative healthcare programs exist - and work - The Globe and Mail (sub. req.)