We have formed a committee to:
1. Look at readmissions
2. Educate the nursing, physicians, and hospital RT staff on the benefits of pulmonary rehab and the referral process. The hope is that the will encourge the physicians to refer patients while they are still in the hospital.
The face to face contact of the rehab RT and education information booklet will have greater impact on the patient than a phone call.
3. Infection prevention nurse will educate the patient on handwashing, cleaning of equipment, etc.
4. Involve the home care agencies to reinforce disposable equipment changes, general equipment care.
5. Evaluate transportation issues and solutions for out patient rehab