Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Date issued: December 2022
Review date: December 2024
Ref: A-518/NB/ED/Hospital admission Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
PDF: Hospital admission Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 145KB
Discharge arrangements
Upon discharge you will be referred to:……………………………………………………………………….
They will contact you by phone and arrange a home visit if appropriate
Upon discharge we advise you to:
Make an appointment to see you GP or practice nurse within 2-4 weeks to check your recovery progress.
Once you are home
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Complete your course of steroids and antibiotics: Even if you feel better, you should finish any course of antibiotics and steroids that you were given in hospital to treat your exacerbation.
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Breathing exercises: Whilst you were in hospital you should have been shown some exercises to help with clearing your sputum and controlling your breathing. Keep practising!
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Plan and pace your activities: Build your activity level back up gradually. Balance activity with rest. Try to save your energy for when you really need it.
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Eat well, drink well: Having COPD means you use up a lot of energy breathing. You may find it easier to eat small amounts more often if you are more breathless than usual. Unless you Doctor has told you not to, drink plenty of water as it keeps the lining of the airways moist and your sputum will be thinner.
What to do if you feel worse:
Follow the advice given in your management plan and seek medical review.
Monday – Friday 9am-5pm:
If you have been discharged under the care of a Community Respiratory Team, contact them with any concerns or queries.
If you have not been discharged with community team support, you should contact your GP or Practice Nurse.
Outside the hours of 9am-5pm:
Contact the GP out of hours service (Tel: 111)
IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999
General Advice:
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Take your prescribed medication
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Try to exercise every day: Remember ‘if you don’t use, it you’ll lose it!’
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Pace and plan activities: Plan ahead and allow time to do things
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Be careful what you breathe: Try to avoid people who have colds, try to stay out of smoky or dusty environments and avoid use of strong smelling or scented products if these make your breathing worse
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Watch the weather forecasts: Be prepared for changes in the weather. Get fans ready for hot weather. For cooler or windy weather cover your nose and mouth with a scarf. If possible, avoid going out in very cold weather
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Eat well, drink well: It is important to eat a healthy and varied diet.
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Relax: Stress / anxiety make symptoms worse
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Rest/sleep well: It is important to stay active but it’s also vital to get enough rest every day. Save your energy for when you really need it. Relax before going to bed. Make sure your bed is comfortable (prop yourself up on pillows if this helps) and make sure your inhalers/nebulisers are within easy reach
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Watch for signs of a flare-up
Useful contact information
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Emergency Ambulance Service: 999 GP Out of Hours: 111 Own GP Surgery: |
British Lung Foundation Helpline TEL: 08458 50 50 20 EMAIL: enquiries@blf-uk.org WEB: www.lunguk.org |
NHS Stop Smoking Services TEL: 0300 123 1044 |
