Respiratory Disease Management

The investigators propose to carry out a prospective, randomized, trial at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (1250-bed urban academic hospital). Eligible patients will be identified by a senior study coordinator who will also obtain informed consent for study participation. Adults greater than 18 years of age and less than 65 years of age will be eligible for enrollment if the lead investigator and the treating physician agree that the patient meets the enrollment criteria which include the following: patients with spirometrically confirmed COPD at high risk for repeat hospitalization or ED visits as predicted by hospital admission or ED visit in the previous 12 months for a COPD exacerbation, chronic home use of oxygen, or a course of systemic corticosteroid therapy in the preceding 12 months. Exclusion criteria include patients not expected to survive their hospitalization, presence of metastatic cancer, bed-bound individuals, non-English speaking patients, and patients unable to provide informed consent.