The Effect of “72-Hour Proactive Follow-up” Led by Respiratory Specialist Nurses on Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates for Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after Hospital Discharge

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of “72-hour proactive follow-up” led by respiratory specialist nurses on reducing the 30-day readmission rate in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after hospital discharge. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 60 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted from September 2024 to September 2025. The participants were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 30 individuals in each group. The control group received routine discharge guidance nursing measures, including instructions on medication use, key points for condition monitoring, and scheduling of follow-up appointments. The observation group implemented “72-hour proactive follow-up” nursing measures, which included telephone follow-up within 72 hours after discharge, quantitative assessment of respiratory symptoms, dynamic adjustment of medication regimens, and personalized health education. The 30-day readmission rate, mMRC dyspnea index, CAT quality of life score, and other parameters were compared between the two groups. Results: The 30-day readmission rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The mMRC dyspnea index (1.8 ± 0.5) in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.5 ± 0.7) (p < 0.05). The CAT quality of life score (18.2 ± 3.1) in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (22.4 ± 4.2) (p < 0.05). The patient satisfaction score (92.5 ± 4.3) in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (85.6 ± 5.8) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The “72-hour proactive follow-up” nursing intervention demonstrates a favorable effect in reducing readmission rates, exhibiting significant clinical practical value. It can optimize the allocation of medical resources, effectively enhance patients’ self-management efficacy, and holds prominent value for clinical promotion and application.