Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Jan 2008
[Early supported discharge for patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
Hospital admissions due to exacerbations of COPD are frequent. UK studies have shown that early supported discharge (ESD) for patients with exacerbations of COPD can reduce the length of stay without adversely affecting mortality or readmission rates. However, experience of ESD in Denmark has not been reported. ⋯ Almost 20% of all admissions were eligible for ESD. Compared to British studies on ESD, our patients had more severe COPD. We cannot determine whether this model of care has reduced days in hospital, but costs and income seem to balance.