COPD, The Game Plan in Place!

The long awaited COPD National Action plan is here! If you are not familiar with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD as we call it; this statement from the report says it best. “For the 16 million Americans diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the millions of others who do not know they have it…the disease not only debilitates; it kills”. CDS is excited to have contributed during the drafting phase of this document in conjunction with industry experts, clinicians and patients from across the nation.  We are also honored to be listed on page 37  as a resource for COPD support in the Carolinas!

Since the plan was published, many are asking what portion will your organization tackle? While it is difficult for any organization to touch all five, COPD I would like to highlight several important facts about the plan and how CDS is taking action! The plan is structured more like that of a strategic plan than a typical action plans and is condensed into the following  5 goals:

1. Empower people with COPD, their families, and caregivers to recognize and reduce the burden of COPD.

By seeing patients in their local primary care physician’s office, we aid in properly diagnosing and then educating patients on proper medication administration, technique, disease process, and more. Teaching patients how to stay well and know what to do should their health decline, empowering them to drive their care.  

2. Improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD by improving the quality of care delivered across the healthcare continuum.

Action point number 5 under Goal 2 is to “Improve access to care for people with COPD, particularly for those in hard-to-reach areas.”  We realize that there is a short supply of pulmonologists in the market; meaning that depending on your location, it may be a process to become an established patient. This can be frustrating for patients and their families. CDS has developed a solution to lighten this burden. Our mobile PFT testing and disease management services bring the diagnostic testing, education, and management to the primary care level in a cost effective way. Reaching more of the undiagnosed populations as well as populations in hard-to-reach areas.

3. Collect, analyze, report, and disseminate COPD-related public health data that drive change and track progress.

CDS has been tracking the results of our testing and management programs. Our data shows promising results, which maybe shared with local, state, and national organizations.  

4. Increase and sustain research to better understand the prevention, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COPD.

CDS is forming partnerships with local universities to explore changes to care paradigms and contribute to clinical training.

5. Translate national policy, educational, and program recommendations into research and public health care actions.

CDS actively shares data on social media to inform followers of upcoming legislation. We are also in contact with our local lawmakers to encourage their support for legislation such as the following current bills: H.R. 2550 – Medicare Telehealth Parity Act, H.R. 2291: – Helping Expand Access to Rural Telemedicine (HEART) Act, H.R. 766 – Telehealth for Individuals Residing in Public Housing.