COPD Conference

The American Lung Association in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health, will hold educational sessions for health professionals on April 20, 2021 on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management, the Gold Guidelines, vaccinations, and the medications to treat it amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Chronic lower respiratory disease, including COPD, is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Fifteen million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD. In Arkansas, 11.6 percent of Medicare recipients suffer from COPD, which is slightly higher than the national average of 11.2 percent. COPD in Arkansas conference will help health professional stay updated on the latest COPD updates in Arkansas.

The first session will review the recently published 2021 GOLD Report and the medications to treat COPD, which provides comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis, assessment, and management of COPD. The second session will address follow-up care/best practice for transitions to care from inpatient to outpatient and to reduce readmission risks. Lastly, prevention care: vaccinations, COVID-19, and evolving therapies. Important factors affecting clinician uptake of the recommendations include a lack of familiarity with or delayed adoption of GOLD 2021 therapeutic strategy, undertreatment or mistreatment based on disease severity, lack of individualization of management plans, and a lack of patient self-management support.

COPD Conference will review the latest recommendations and enable clinicians to apply assessment and management strategies that incorporate the latest evidence to guide individualized management plans for patients with COPD. This webinar will educate respiratory therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who treat COPD in the community setting.

This is a free event, and 3 hours of Continuing Education credits will be available for nurses and respiratory therapists.