Comparison the Diagnosis and Treatments of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at Sankampang Hospital, Chiang Mai, with the Standards and Guidelines from the Thoracic Society of Thailand

Abstract

         The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not diagnosis and treatments of patients with COPD at Sankampang Hospital, Chiang Mai, are allied the standards and guidelines by the Thoracic Society of Thailand. Historical data analysis is used to explain results of this study. Information was selectively gathered from a group of 152 patients, including personal data, stage of severity and medication records between 1 May 2008 and 31 August 2008. The result of frequency, percentage, mean and average, and standard deviation of the data will be presented. The study shows that only 44.1% of patients had received the same diagnosis and treatments as indicated in the standards and guidelines by the Thoracic Society of Thailand, while another 55.9% were not related with the standards and guidelines. Around 7.9% of those patients, who had not received diagnosis and treatments properly, received medical therapy more than needed. On the other hand, 22.4% of patients could only get sub-standard therapy. However, 25.7% of patients were wrongly assessed by the physician since there was no physical examination and testing performed. As a result, these non-COPD patients would be classified the same group as those, who received improper diagnosis and treatments. The result of this study can be useful for Patient Care Team and others in order to develop practical standards and guidelines for efficient and effective clinical assessment and therapy, and improve the quality of care provided to patients with COPD in the future.