ABSTRACT
SESSION TITLE: Impact of Health Disparities and Differences SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Original Inv PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 11:15 am - 12:15 pm PURPOSE: To address rural healthcare disparities by providing access to home based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) program for eligible veterans at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) who reside in remote areas or those with barriers of long travel time and transportation hardship. METHODS: The Pulmonary Section at the Salem VAMC received a grant from the Office of Rural Health to establish HBPR program for eligible veterans. Its goal was to improve quality of life and potentially reduce COPD hospitalizations and exacerbations (AECOPD). Under the direction of pulmonologists, the program was run by an exercise physiologist (EP). Referrals were received from inpatient and outpatient providers. After an initial in-person evaluation, weekly telehealth meetings (telephone, video) occurred over 12 weeks. Veterans were provided with the equipment, and an individualized targeted exercise program along with education and counseling on tobacco cessation, nutrition, oxygen compliance, stress management, medication adherence. Follow up appointments were scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months post completion. RESULTS: Between September 2020 and January 2022, 312 consults were received, 206 consults were scheduled and 175 veterans enrolled. To date, 100 have completed the program with 24 ongoing. 30% declined service, citing: comorbidities, physical debility, difficulty remembering scheduled appointments, lack of motivation, social reasons, worsening health status. Mean age was 71, male predominance (95%). Referral diagnoses included: COPD (86%), chronic hypoxic respiratory failure (55%), COVID-19 (11%), Interstital Lung Diseases (10%). Mean FEV1 was 57% predicted, mean MMRC Dyspnea Scale 2.5, mean BODE score 5. 20% of enrolled veterans were active smokers, 72% were former smokers. 6 minute walk test increased from 156 meters on enrollment to 216 meters on completion. 45 veterans required hospitalization for pulmonary issues during their participation in the program. EP identified on weekly appointments 20 AECOPD that were treated as outpatient, 1 spontaneous pneumothorax that led to hospitalization, and facilitated the refill of inhalers or adjustment of medical regimen. Patient satisfaction score, including perception of benefit post completion was 29.4/30. CONCLUSIONS: HBPR at the Salem VAMC provided access to eligible veterans, overcoming barriers of rurality, transportation hardship and lack of nearby conventional programs. It also offered off business hours PR to veterans who continue to work. It allowed decrease in community care referrals thus establishing useful and cost effective service. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been shown to reduce morbidity, improve functional status and have mortality benefit. Healthcare discrepancies and disparities have been a major obstacle for enrollment. HBPR would address these issues and contribute to decreased health service utilization and costs. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Nathalie Abi Hatem No relevant relationships by Brittany Frost No relevant relationships by Mitchell Horowitz No relevant relationships by Deepa Lala