Leicester City respiratory project was named a finalist at the East Midlands Innovation in Healthcare Awards for a project for patients with COPD.
The project, which was led by Leicester City CCG, led to 177 fewer hospital admissions for patients, which in turn saved almost £250,000.
Patients with COPD were given a home health computer and access to a dedicated health coach and a specialist nurse. Patients with more than two admissions to hospital in the previous year were eligible.
Karen Moore, the lead respiratory nurse, helped to develop the scheme and support the other nurses.
‘Once the patients had input their pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation into the computer, the results would be sent off. The healthcare assistant would monitor them for any points of concern and then the nurse would call the patient. The main aim was determine whether the patient required a home visit or a hospital admission,’ she said.
As their condition improved the patients were put on a health coaching programme for up to 12 months, which gave them dedicated further advice about how to manage their condition themselves.
Patients were also given advice on how to manage their condition during weather conditions that could exacerbate their symptoms.
Ms Moore said that the main aim was to reduce hospital admissions and to educate patients about their condition.
More than a dozen other organisations have approached the project team to see if they can apply the lessons in other parts of the country.