The report of nationwide quality assessment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background and Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease of ambulatory care sensitive condition. Because prevalence is high and a large amount of health care resources is needed, management is important. This study was conducted nationwide to improve quality of patient management, reduce progression to severe status and make reasonable medical care expenses in COPD. Methods: The assessment was proceeded over 3 times from April 2015 to April 2017. It was nationally implemented by Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, which evaluated costs for medical care expenses of COPD. Results: The number of people was 141,782 in the first assessment, 142,790 in the second and 143,339 people in the third. The number of medical care institutions was 6,691 sites in the first assessment, 6,722 sites in the second and 6,470 sites in the third. The implementation rate of pulmonary function test (PFT) was 58.7% in the first assessment, 62.53% in the second and 67.92% in the third, showing a growing trend. The continuous visit rate of patients was 85.46% in the first assessment, 92.12% in second and 84.95% in third. The prescription rate of bronchodilator was 67.93% in the first assessment, 71.19% in the second and 76.93% in the third, on the rise. After the first and second assessment, medical expenses due to admission and visit to emergency department in tertiary referral hospital was reduced. Conclusion: As a result of quality assessment, the implementation rate of PFT and prescription rate of bronchodilator have been improved. Acknowledgments: This study is supported by the Joint Project on Quality Assessment Research of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.