SAN DIEGO (March 30, 2014)—Respiratory therapists (RTs) represent the best resource to help improve the health outcomes, quality of life and reduce the costs associated with the treatment and management of patients who are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The clinical trial will validate the effectiveness of RTs in improving health and financial outcomes.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will include patients admitted for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) for FY 2015.

Clinicians must now consider tangible and effective alternatives that will help improve the overall treatment and management of patients; if they are to improve health outcomes and reduce the costs associated with the treatment and management of patients with COPD.

Respiratory therapists are allied health specialists that are specifically educated and clinically prepared to focus on the treatment and management of patients with COPD. The key, of course, is in developing programs and services that are centered on the patient with interventions that improve their education, engagement and empowerment with self-management techniques. In addition, it is important to improve monitoring and prevention measures to ensure patient adherence to their treatment plan and mitigate emergency room encounters and hospital admissions.

There are countless examples in regional and even some national managed care organizations on the effectiveness of respiratory therapists; yet despite the overwhelming logic to utilize the more cost effective resource, little has been done to fill the disease management gaps. That said, we must demonstrate the value of respiratory therapists through validated clinical studies.

Said Vernon Pertelle, president and CEO of StratiHealth: "Respiratory therapists should be the mainstay of management strategies in accountable care organizations (ACOs) as well as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). The challenge historically has been lack of coverage for the role in traditional post-acute care environments; however, 'the new health care normal' creates opportunities to leverage a very valuable member of the healthcare team to improve performance in the era of value-based health care."

The clinical trial will be conducted with the ultimate goal to validate respiratory therapists as the key resource to improve the treatment and management of patients with COPD to improve health outcomes while reducing costs. Visit
stratihealth.net for more information.