Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Programme

COPD is one of the leading chronic relapsing diseases in Singapore. Our COPD programme is targeted towards preventing acute attacks of COPD, prolonging the survival and improving the symptoms and quality of life for our patients. We achieve this by taking on several approaches, including medications, smoking cessation therapy, education / counselling by experienced COPD Case Managers (nurse clinicians), and pulmonary rehabilitation.

In collaboration with our colleagues in the emergency department (ED), we have also designed a comprehensive management program for acute attacks of COPD. Severely ill patients who do not respond promptly to medical treatment will receive noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the ED itself to avoid the complications of tracheal intubation and prolonged ICU stays (link to quality page on NIV). Less ill patients will be assessed and treated in our ED’s Extended Diagnostic Treatment Unit (EDTU). And if they are better, they may go home directly from the ED. Because a chronic illness like COPD is often best managed at home, we have also introduced a Hospital At Home Program in which an experienced Home Visit Nurse will perform a home visit and help patients and families cope more effectively with acute attacks. This is often undertaken as a continuation of EDTU treatment to ensure that our patients recover smoothly from an acute attack. For patients who are persistently symptomatic from advanced COPD we have embarked on an advanced care program to optimise quality of life and symptom control either at home or in a hospice setting with palliative care physicians.

Funding: Ministry of Health / Health Services Development Programme & Reinvestment Fund.

For patients seeking advice on COPD
Contact COPD Case Manager Ms Valerie Yee:
Email: valerie_mf_yee@nhg.com.sg
Phone: (65) 8228 7693 (office hours 8.30 am to 5.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays)