Unnecessary hospitalizations due to chronic disease are reaching the tipping point of seriously harming this country’s healthcare system and do not meet the needs of patients and their families, according to a report by the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI).
“Across Canada, patients end up seeking care in emergency departments to manage their chronic illnesses because more appropriate care isn’t available in the community,” says Maureen O’Neil, O.C., President of CFHI. “These patients are getting the wrong care in the wrong place.”
According to CFHI, diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are placing a growing strain on Canada’s healthcare system. COPD is a chronic and progressive lung disease that includes bronchitis and emphysema, and is characterized by debilitating breathlessness. It is primarily caused by smoking. Of all chronic diseases, COPD is the number one reason for hospitalizations in Canada, accounting for the largest number of return visits to emergency departments. COPD also generates the highest volume of hospital readmissions.
CFHI today announced new results from a national initiative that shows hospitalizations due to COPD can be decreased by up to 80 percent when healthcare is provided to patients and their families at home. This transformational approach not only improves quality of care, but would also avoid 68,500 emergency department visits, 44,100 hospitalizations and 400,000 bed days – saving $688 million in hospital costs over the next five years.
Full article at: Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement