Mapping inpatient care pathways for patients with COPD: an observational study using routinely collected electronic hospital record data

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory specialist ward care is associated with better outcomes for patients with COPD exacerbations. We assessed patient pathways and associated factors for people admitted to hospital with COPD exacerbations. METHODS: We analysed routinely collected electronic health data for patients admitted with COPD exacerbation in 2018 to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK. We extracted data on demographics, deprivation index, Elixhauser comorbidities, ward moves, length of stay, and in-hospital and 1-year mortality. We compared care pathways with recommended care pathways (transition from initial assessment area to respiratory wards or discharge). We used Markov state transition models to derive probabilities of following recommended pathways for patient subgroups. RESULTS: Of 42 555 patients with unplanned admissions during 2018, 571 patients were admitted at least once with an exacerbation of COPD. The mean±sd age was 51±11 years; 313 (55%) were women, 337 (59%) lived in the most deprived neighbourhoods and 45 (9%) were from non-white ethnic backgrounds. 428 (75.0%) had ≥4 comorbidities. Age >70 years was associated with higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality, more places of care (wards) and longer length of stay; having ≥4 comorbidities was associated with higher mortality and longer length of stay. Older age was associated with a significantly lower probability of following a recommended pathway (>70 years: 0.514, 95% CI 0.458–0.571; ≤70 years: 0.636, 95% CI 0.572–0.696; p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Only older age was associated with a lower chance of following recommended hospital pathways of care. Such analyses could help refine appropriate care pathways for patients with COPD exacerbations.