Patients with acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) being discharged from Dunedin Hospital will receive referrals and advice for correct medicine and inhaler use and a fully funded visit to their GP within 14 days in a new electronic discharge process.

Co-developed by Southern District Health Board and WellSouth primary health network, the new process involves a ‘Click to Tick’ electronic COPD checklist that is filled out by clinicians when the patient is admitted.