The OLTCA COPD Protocol

In 2015, the Ontario Long Term Care Association embarked on a journey to tackle the issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in long term care homes and retirement communities. Identified by Health Quality Ontario as a leading cause of hospital admissions, COPD impacts 16% of residents (2015) with that number expected to increase over the next several years. COPD is also a leading factor contributing to resident complexity and is further complicated by an inadequate understanding of treatment pathways and management of exacerbations at point of care.

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder largely caused by smoking. It is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction that is partially reversible. As it progresses it results in functional disability, increased severity and frequency of exacerbations and systemic secondary impairments.

A Quality Based Procedure (QBP)

The clinical objective of the program is to provide appropriate tools to allow care teams to assess (identify) and manage residents living with COPD. The inevitable goal is to reduce ED transfer’s through the reduction of exacerbations and other related complications. The issues and challenges identified by the OLTCA COPD Advisory Team (CAT) included:

• Under-diagnosis
• Spirometry not accessible in all retirement and LTC homes
• Residents with cognitive impairment
• Complexity of management
• Lack of available nursing time
• Limited number of qualified staff to manage COPD
• Limited community resources to retirement communities
• Abundance of new drugs to choose from

COPD Connect is a member only portal that provides education, implementation and clinical guidelines to care providers working directly with residents living in residential care communities. It is a program that recognizes the unique environment and special requirements of an aging population. We thank our participating partners for providing their energy and time and look forward to delivering the most comprehensive COPD initiative to our members.