Comprehensive Review of Respiratory Emergencies: The Role of Primary Care
Abdullah Abood Albishi 1, Abdullah Mohammed Asiri 1, Abdulrahman Jubran Alkhubrani 1, Maryam Mohammed Alenezi 1, Reem Ayed Almutairi 1, Modhi Turqi Alenazi 1, Abdulkaareem Jathen Suliman Alshammary 1, Muteb Mohammed Mesfer Alwadai 1, Faiz Thani Hillel Alanazi 1, Manhal Ali Abdul Rahman Al Quraishi 1, Saud Dakhil S Alanazi 1, Agab Snetan Ghaniman Alharbi 1, Abdulrahman Saad Marzouq Albagami 1, Saif Mohammed Abdulmohsen Al-Sahman 1, Jamal Abdulrahman Almosa 1, Abdulrahman Fahad Aldosari 1
Integrative Biomedical Research (Journal of Angiotherapy) 8(8) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.8810316
Submitted: 08 June 2024 Revised: 09 August 2024 Published: 12 August 2024
Abstract
Respiratory emergencies, such as acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe respiratory infections, to name a few, create a significant burden on many healthcare systems worldwide, resulting in millions of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations every year. The addition of primary care to the management of respiratory emergencies may present a viable model to improve patient outcomes, enhance healthcare efficiencies, and relieve pressure from already stretched secondary care system capacity. This comprehensive review aims to explore the role of primary care in the triage, treatment, and follow-up of respiratory emergencies. Key findings indicate the effective implementation of tools such as the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), clinical prediction rules, telehealth, and other key tools in identifying early concerns, reducing unnecessary treatment, and lowering hospital admission rates. That said, challenges regarding the training of providers to recognize respiratory emergencies, the limited availability of resources, and integration into workflows remain. Facilitators of change include interprofessional team collaboration, electronic health records (EHRs), and policy changes as evidenced in the Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) program. This review illustrates the transformative opportunities of primary care in the management of respiratory emergencies and suggests that new models of delivery, education systems, and equitable access to quality primary care may prove valuable. Future studies should focus on cost-effectiveness studies and solutions to address disparities in resource-constrained contexts.
Keywords: Respiratory emergencies, integration of primary care, asthma management, COPD flare, telehealth
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