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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalizations and readmissions adversely impact the health and quality of life of COPD patients. Under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reduce payments to those hospitals exceeding expected rates of COPD readmissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. It was within this climate that the COPD Foundation held its 2nd COPD Readmissions Summit in March 2015. Experts in attendance: (1) categorized challenges to optimal COPD care, ( 2) analyzed the state of care delivery and readmissions reduction strategies and (3) identified the best available evidence-based approaches to improving care delivery across the continuum, including early diagnosis via spirometry, ongoing device, oxygen and medication reconciliation, treatment that addresses comorbidities and preventive care, robust patient education, prompt post-acute follow up, home health services and pulmonary rehabilitation. Results of this collaborative event formed the basis for PRAXIS, the COPD Foundation’s initiative to improve COPD care across the health continuum and to reduce readmissions.

About 1 in 5 patients hospitalized for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the United States are readmitted within 30 days. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently expanded its Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program to financially penalize hospitals with higher than expected all-cause 30-day readmission rates following a hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. In October 2013, the COPD Foundation convened a multi-stakeholder National COPD Readmissions Summit to summarize our understanding of how to reduce hospital readmissions in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations. Over 225 individuals participated in the Summit, including patients, clinicians, health service researchers, policy makers and representatives of academic health care centers, industry, and payers. Summit participants recommend that programs to reduce hospital readmissions: 1) Include specific recommendations about how to promote COPD self-management skills training for patients and their caregivers; 2) Adequately address co-existing disorders common to COPD in care plans during and after hospitalizations; 3) Include an evaluation of adverse events when implementing strategies to reduce hospital readmissions; and 4) Develop a strategy (e.g., a learning collaboratory) to connect groups who are engaged in developing, testing, and implementing programs to reduce hospital readmissions for COPD and other conditions.