Disseminating the Results of the Project to Key Stakeholders and Nursing Community

Disseminating Evidence
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A Problem Description
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease (gets worse overtime) that makes it hard to breathe. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is currently fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Chronic obstructive pulmonary is a major cause of morbidity and mortality where about 4,000 deaths each year in the United States (American Lung Association, 2014). Although treatable, there is no known cure for the disease. COPD is characterized by reduction in airflow during the ventilation cycle caused by chronic airways inflammation, narrowing of the airways, loss of air way elasticity and over active mucous production (Frace, 2008). Common risk factors that impact on the development of COPD include smoking (including second hand smoke), dust, air pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals used in the production of cotton or coal. Complications of COPD include pneumonia, pneumothorax, atelectasis, cor pulmonale and respiratory failure for severe cases (American Lung Association, 2014).
Resolution
All-rounded interventions such as nursing management has proven to be a promising ways of improving the COPD patient's outcomes. A nursing management for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will be accomplished through undertaking an exacerbation, then coming up with a plan, conducting a diagnosis, implementation, interventions and evaluation of the intervention outcomes. Exacerbation refers to the deterioration in control level experienced by a person suffering from COPD. The duration and deterioration level is important which necessitates a full history being obtained to help in the identification of whether the person is in a normal state or whether a loss of control has happened over the past specific time frame. A history of COPD on health risk assessments, as well as referrals will be examined. Some of the details that I will look for include;
* Medical Records Providers
Patient's personal details such as their name of the patient, ID numbers, date of birth, age and weight. SOAP notes from all the medical practitioners who might have attended the patient.
* Initial and follow- up visits
Acute inpatient and outpatient visits.
* Chief Complaint and Subjective History
* Past Medical History
* Current Medical and Rehabilitation Situation (American Lung Association, 2010).
Diagnosis
Fundamental tests that will be conducted include pulmonary function tests, chest x-ray, arterial blood gas measurements, high-resolution computed tomography (CT), chest scan and screening for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (Polit & Beck, 2012). Fundamental signs and symptoms to be assessed include pulse rate, blood pressure, Peak expiratory flow (PEF), Pulse oximetry, body temperature, the respiration rate and unexplained fatigue or confusion. Considerations for patients with chronic stable lung attacks.