Virtual Care Transition for COPD
(TELE-TOC Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Transitions of Care (TOC) between hospital, ambulatory, and home settings for high-risk, frequently hospitalized adults with chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are complex, costly, and vulnerable to safety threats and poor health outcomes. One potential solution to address this gap in care is the Transitional Care Model (TCM), which utilizes a patient-centered approach with in-home interventions; since in-person in-home visits are costly, using innovative telehealth, such as virtual visits via teleconferencing may be just as effective with greater feasibility, scalability, and sustainability, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era as has been seen the rapid expansion of these technologies. With a transdisciplinary team of experts from cognitive science, care transitions/handoffs, human factors engineering, design, implementation science, and health services research, the study team proposes to implement and evaluate via a randomized clinical trial the "TELE-TOC: Telehealth Education: Leveraging Electronic Transitions Of Care for COPD patients," intervention which includes a virtual visit, pharmacy-based, in-home intervention for COPD patients to improve medication use and patient outcomes among a population at high risk for readmission and medication safety events.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on improving medication use, so it's possible you may continue your current regimen.
What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for COPD?
Research shows that a COPD care service can improve access to follow-up care and patient education when transitioning from hospital to home, which is a key part of the virtual care transition treatment. Additionally, advanced nurse practitioners play a crucial role in enhancing rehabilitation programs for COPD, suggesting that their involvement in the treatment could be beneficial.12345
Is the Virtual Care Transition for COPD generally safe for humans?
The research suggests that medication reconciliation, a key part of the Virtual Care Transition for COPD, can help prevent medication errors and improve safety during care transitions. However, there were some potential adverse drug events noted, with nearly 50% classified as serious, indicating the importance of careful monitoring.678910
How does the Virtual Care Transition for COPD treatment differ from other treatments for COPD?
The Virtual Care Transition for COPD treatment is unique because it combines virtual at-home visits for medication education and reconciliation with advanced practice nurse consultations, aiming to improve care transitions from hospital to home. This approach is different from traditional treatments as it emphasizes virtual support and nurse-led care, which has been shown to reduce rehospitalizations and improve patient outcomes.311121314
Research Team
Valerie G Press, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
University of Chicago
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults aged 40 or older who have been hospitalized with a COPD exacerbation and are part of the COPD Hospital Readmission Reduction Program. It's designed to help those at high risk for readmission and medication issues.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive the TELE-TOC intervention, which includes virtual, pharmacy-based, in-home visits for COPD patients to improve medication use and patient outcomes.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including evaluation of COPD symptoms and medication errors.
Long-term Follow-up
Participants are monitored for emergency department visits and/or re-hospitalization within 90 to 180 days of index admission.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- COPD advanced practice nurse Inpatient Consult
- Inpatient Medication Reconciliation
- Post-discharge follow-up advanced practice nurse outpatient visit
- Post-discharge nurse 48 hour phone follow-up call
- Virtual At Home Medication Education Visit(s)
- Virtual at Home Medication Reconciliation Visit(s)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Chicago
Lead Sponsor
Society of Hospital Medicine
Collaborator
COPD Foundation
Collaborator
Washington University School of Medicine
Collaborator
Hospital Medicine Reengineering Network (HOMERuN)
Collaborator
The American Telemedicine Association
Collaborator
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Collaborator