COPD Hospice Program

A new, specialized hospice program designed for your patients with end-stage COPD to improve quality of life and reduce hospitalizations and ED visits.

Significant Impact of COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., has a profound clinical and economic impact. With high symptom burden and an unpredictable trajectory, COPD significantly reduces patients’ quality of life, and can be very stressful on caregivers. COPD is associated with excessive rates of hospital readmissions and ED visits, and can be attributed to over $50B in annual health care expenditures, including $13.2B in hospitalizations due to acute exacerbations.¹

As a progressive, non-curable disease, the clinical and economic burden of COPD increases substantially as the disease progresses.

COPD Hospice Program Addresses Critical Need

The only of its kind in the New York metro area, VNSNY created the VNSNY COPD Hospice Care program for your patients with end-stage COPD to:

• Enhance quality of life
• Reduce rehospitalizations and ED visits
• Decrease patient anxiety and build caregiver confidence

How VNSNY’s COPD Hospice Program Can Help

Developed in collaboration with leading NYC pulmonologists, using evidence-based clinical protocols, the VNSNY COPD Hospice Care program meets the unique needs of end-stage COPD patients, with a focus on managing the two most distressing symptoms—dyspnea and the anxiety it causes.

Specialized Interdisciplinary Team

• Advanced practice nurse, along with hospice team physician, oversees program
• Hospice team physicians accessible for providing MD-to-MD conversations; can assist with medication management
• Respiratory therapist provides initial assessment, supervises respiratory devices
• Registered nurse, social worker, rehab therapist, spiritual care counselor, registered dietitian provide expertise as needed
• Hospice specialty aide assists with energy conservation and ADLs
• Hospice volunteers offer support and companionship

Individualized Medications and Equipment

• Oxygen, DME, and medications included in hospice plan of care are covered under hospice benefit and will be delivered directly to patient’s residence
• Comfort pack to address acute exacerbations, such as but not limited to severe dyspnea or anxiety

24/7 Support

• 24/7 support for patients and families, including access to hospice medical team

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

When thinking about your patients with COPD, the following are signs that they might benefit from VNSNY COPD Hospice Care:

• Increased hospitalizations, ED visits, office visits or calls
• Growing need for home health assistance
• Declining quality of life including:
  • Dyspnea at rest or with minimal exertion
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Frequent bouts of bronchitis and/or pneumonia
  • Increased anxiety and depression
• Continual changes in medications in attempts to stabilize condition
• Decreasing treatment options available to address symptoms

For more information, download VNSNY’s Hospice Candidate Card.

Eligibility for VNSNY’s COPD Hospice Program

Patients with COPD who meet general hospice eligibility criteria are candidates for this program. Disease-specific indicators include:

• Dyspnea at rest or with minimal exertion
• Recurrent pulmonary infections
• pO2 ≤ 55 mmHg (on RA) or oxygen saturation ≤ 88%
• FEV-1 < 30%
• Factors that support eligibility include:
• Cor pulmonale
• Weight loss > 10% in past 6 months
• Resting tachycardia > 100/min

Benefits of a Timely Referral

Referring patients early is critical, as it enables patients and families to maximize the time they can benefit from the added support, symptom management, and improved quality of life provided by this specialized hospice program.

We welcome the opportunity to meet with patients and families in person to help start the conversation and discuss care options. We are available 24/7.

^{1. Shah, T et al. COPD Readmissions: Addressing COPD in the Era of Value-based Health Care. CHEST. 2016 Oct;150(4):916-926}