For the first time, a national standard outlines best practice to diagnose and treat COPD, which affects an estimated 638,000 Australians – or one in 13 people aged 40 and over.
The chronic lung condition, characterised by limited airflow which makes it difficult to breathe, is a leading cause of preventable hospitalisations in Australia, responsible for more than 53,000 hospital stays in people aged over 45 years.
This week, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Care Standard — a move welcomed by Lung Foundation Australia which established the COPD-X Guidelines with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand back in 2001.
Endorsed by 20 clinical and consumer organisations, the new standard outlines key areas to support people with COPD to manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life and hopefully stay out of hospital, while ensuring clinicians have the most up-to-date information.
Although there is no cure for COPD, the standard highlights interventions that help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbations.
Many people with COPD do not know they have it, and often early changes in lung health are mistaken for signs of ageing, a lack of fitness or asthma.
The commission says clinicians have a role in helping patients to recognise the symptoms, especially if they present with concerns about their breathing.
The standard focuses on accurate diagnosis of COPD with a spirometry test, to ensure that patients receive early and appropriate treatment to manage their symptoms and prevent deterioration in their health.
Smokers a target
Getting smokers to quit is a focus, as this is one of the most effective ways to improve COPD symptoms and slow disease progression.
The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are also stressed, and people with COPD are encouraged to self-manage their condition, including having an action plan for medicines and using correct inhaler technique. Medicines for people with COPD are often escalated inappropriately, so there is also guidance on appropriate use of inhaled corticosteroids and antibiotics.
In other COPD news, Lung Foundation Australia has launched the online resource, My COPD Checklist, to help people living with the lung disease take more control of their lung health and enjoy better quality of life.
Foundation CEO Mark Brooke said the checklist filled an important knowledge gap for people who often did not realise there were measures they could take to improve their lung health.
“We’re educating and empowering people living with COPD to take an active role in managing their condition,” Mr Brooke said.
“Unfortunately, what we hear over and again is that people have no idea there are a range of treatment options, resources and support services available to help you live well with COPD.”
The checklist assesses people’s current level of knowledge about their condition, possible gaps in their medical care plan and where they can make improvements.
Symptoms of COPD can be managed if people stay active, know how to correctly use inhaled medicines, are up to date with their vaccinations, and learn ways to cope with breathlessness.
It also offers a range of evidence-based guidelines, training and patient resources to support early diagnosis and best practice management of COPD.
The COPD patient checklist is available at:
lungfoundation.com.au/resources/my-copd-checklist/.
Details of the new COPD clinical care standard are at:
safetyandquality.gov.au/copd-ccs.