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VA program to cut hospital readmissions for COPD patients canceled because of patient deaths
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Serious safety concerns and deaths during a national study aimed at reducing hospital readmissions among veterans with chronic breathing problems led officials to cancel a portion of the study.
Doctors and hospital administrators attempting to curb costly readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through educational and other programs should know about the Department of Veterans Affairs study, said Dr. Dennis Niewoehner, a pulmonary doctor in Minneapolis who identified himself as a co-chair for the trial.
“If someone were to start a disease management program, I would suggest they probably not do it just yet, until the information is available,” Niewoehner said.
Yet, Niewoehner and VA officials declined to discuss specific information about the Bronchitis and Emphysema Advice and Training to Reduce Hospitalization (BREATH) study that ended in February 2009 — or how many people died. Dr. Timothy J. O’Leary, deputy chief research and development officer, confirmed in a written response to Trib questions that deaths among the 413 patients enrolled in the study prompted its immediate cancellation.
