Study: COPD Patients Discharged to SNFs Twice As Likely to Die Within a Year

A new study out of Ohio found that people who are discharged to skilled nursing facilities after being hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, are about twice as likely to die within a year.

COPD patients who were discharged to SNFs had a 34 percent change of dying within 180 days, compared to about 16 percent for those who were sent home from the hospital. Those numbers climbed to 46.5 percent and 24 percent, respectively, one year after discharge.

The researchers noted that patients discharged to SNFs are more likely to have severe COPD, multiple chronic conditions and poorer overall functioning. However, they suggested that further research might determine whether certain patients might benefit from more intensive management and which could be candidates for hospice and palliative care.

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