A Rural Hospital Guide to Improving Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The overall purpose of this guide, supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), is to provide information about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and clarity around best practices of care management for those with COPD in rural communities. The objective is to help rural hospital leadership develop a thorough understanding of COPD services in rural areas, clinical diagnosis and treatment including treatment options available, and new developments in technology that are useful to rural populations.

Rural hospitals should use this manual to identify areas for improvement in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of COPD patients in their communities. State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) partners may also benefit from this guide when meeting with hospital leadership to assist them in thoughtful discussion related to improving the community’s health.