The Chronic Disease Management team in Sun Country Health Region is expanding its initiative to improve services for patients in the Region who are diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
"In the past, we've offered a one-time education session for COPD patients - with no follow-up. This revised program is designed to provide more comprehensive education and physical activity," Temi Adediji, Coordinator, Chronic Disease Management/LiveWell with Chronic Conditions.
"This improved program will provide a service that is consistent with the recommendations of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The association says pulmonary rehabilitation coupled with physiotherapy is the standard of care for patients with COPD and that participation in pulmonary rehabilitation greatly reduces the number of times the patient becomes hospitalized, and the length of hospitalization."
The COPD program will be housed in the Therapy Department at Tatagwa View in Weyburn initially, with expansion to other communities in the future. It includes six sessions of weekly, multidisciplinary assessment; education and supervised exercise; followed by three, six and 12-month follow-ups.
"The aim of the COPD program is to improve the over-all health of patients diagnosed with COPD, as confirmed by spirometry testing, before and after. The program is designed to offer multidisciplinary care, education and management strategies, coupled with appropriate exercise, to help those affected by COPD," says Mrs. Adediji.
Patients diagnosed with COPD can be referred by their family physicians, pharmacists and nurse practitioners, or they can call the Therapies Department at 306-842-8443.
The COPD team in Weyburn includes a pharmacist, dietitian, physical therapist, exercise therapist and social worker.
