Improvement in Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

Why is this important?

Dyspnea or shortness of breath is uncomfortable; you breathe faster than normal and feel like you cannot get enough air.  This adversely impacts quality of life and substantially affects a patient’s ability to engage in a variety of activities.  Shortness of breath can be associated with numerous acute or chronic conditions commonly treated in the context of home health care.  It is important for your home health staff and doctor to check your breathing.  They also can teach you ways to improve your breathing and to be as comfortable as possible.

How WellSpan Compares

The following shows the percentage of patients who improved their shortness of breath.

Unit of Measurement: Percentage

A higher score is better than a lower score.

What we are doing to improve our performance.

Care of the patient with congestive heart failure is the current focus of disease management at VNA Home Health.  Research shows prompt interventions for this difficulty in breathing improve patient comfort and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.