COPD

About This Program

The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinic is part of CMH's Ambulatory Care Program. The COPD Clinic program focuses on developing individualized management plans for people with COPD living in the community of Cambridge and North Dumfries.

In consultation with Respirology and the individual client, the program develops medication management programs for patients with a focus on exacerbation management. The strength of the program is that care is individualized and includes providing education focused on specific patient needs to help individuals collaboratively self-manage their chronic illness in partnership with their primary care provider.  Patients are seen initially in the clinic and are scheduled to return to clinic as they need.

Services

The COPD Clinic is an outpatient clinic providing education and treatment plans to patients with COPD. Its goal is to help patients increase their function and quality of life, by reducing the symptoms of COPD and hospitalizations. In partnership with patients we develop a treatment plan based on individual needs and abilities. Specific program objectives include COPD assessment & management, patient and care giver education on medication management, the benefits of exercise, smoking cessation, nutrition review, and prevention of flare-ups and hospital re-admissions.

This community-based COPD program includes:

  • Assessment of client’s current level of physical health, respiratory and exacerbation history, medications, allergies and functional level
  • Education related to collaborative self-management and chronic disease such as COPD pathophysiology, mechanics of respiration, medications indicated in the treatment of COPD, prevention of flare-ups of COPD, smoking cessation, review of strategies to promote healthy active lifestyles, the benefits of exercise
  • Education on when to call for help
  • Ongoing monitoring as required
  • Exacerbation management as required
  • Respirology review of referral as well as Respirology review of patient annually or as needed
  • Dictated notes sent to primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) after each patient visit

What I Need to Know

Please bring any personal assistive devices that you require for your appointment. For example, any communication or mobility device you may need like a walker, hearing aid, etc.

Referral Process

A physician referral is required to access the COPD Clinic. Download the COPD Physician Referral Form and fax the completed form to 519.740.4905

Other referral points:

  • Respirologists
  • Hospitalists
  • Emergency Department
  • Family Physicians/ Nurse Practitioners
  • Urgent care clinics

If you have any questions about referring patients, call the clinic at 519.621.2330, ext. 1524

Contact

For more information