Nurse-initiated telephone follow-up on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improves patient empowerment, but cannot prevent readmissions

Introduction: Readmissions reduce quality of life and increase mortality. Furthermore, disease severity and shortened length of stay make it difficult to support disease management during admission. The aim of this study was to explore whether telephone follow-up after discharge may reduce readmission rates, lower mortality and improve disease management in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This was a randomised controlled trial (n = 224) with nurse-initiated telephone intervention after discharge. On day 30, questionnaires about health status and perceptions of disease management were completed. Readmission and death were recorded on days 30 and 84. Results: There was no significant difference in readmission rates, but significant differences in patients’ assessment of own perception of managing dyspnoea, lung symptoms, ability to react to signs of exacerbation and communicate with health professionals. There was a trend towards a higher mortality in the control group, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Nurse-initiated telephone follow-up does not reduce readmission rates, but does empower patients with COPD.