Health PEI is pleased to officially announce its plans to improve the quality of life for Islanders living with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through a collaborative approach between acute care, primary care, and home care.
Program champions of the national INSPIRED—Implementing a Novel and Supportive Program of Individualized care for Patients and Families Living with Respiratory Disease—program were in Prince Edward Island today to celebrate the Canadian initiative that delivers a more holistic patient care approach, supports family caregivers, and reduces reliance on hospital-based care for COPD patients.
Representatives from the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) and Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd joined Health PEI employees to celebrate the official launch, including program implementer, Dr. Graeme Rocker.
“Chronic illnesses like COPD are our biggest challenge in Prince Edward Island,” said Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie. “We welcome every opportunity to help Islanders manage their illness and improve their quality of life.”
“Health PEI is proud to take part in the INSPIRED COPD Program to improve the overall quality of life for Islanders living with moderate to severe COPD,” said Dr. Richard Wedge, CEO of Health PEI. “Through INSPIRED, patients and families will receive self-management education, psychosocial and spiritual care support, and advance care planning. The resources made available will help to ease the transition from hospital to home, and improve the care for our patients and their families.”
Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the CFHI in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Canada LTD., the INSPIRED COPD Program has already rolled out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Prince County Hospital. Plans are currently in place to roll-out the program in community hospitals across the province by the Fall.
“Across Canada, there is a need to adopt innovative ways of improving patient care, while also managing costs,” said Maureen O’Neil, O.C., President of the CFHI. “The INSPIRED COPD Outreach Program is a great example of patient and family centered innovation, and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement is pleased to work with organizations such as Health PEI to implement this model.”
COPD is a lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The condition, which causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and fatigue has no cure, and affects an estimated 1.5 million Canadians. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada, and one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in PEI.
For individuals living with COPD, frequent care and appropriate health management are essential. Through initiatives like the INSPIRED COPD Program, individuals will learn more about the disease and learn to proactively manage their symptoms to achieve enhanced quality of life.