Clinical Review
Evaluating Adherence With the GOLD Guidelines for Treating Stage II (Moderate) COPD at a Single Tribal Facility
Fed Pract. 2011 July;28(7):15
Author and Disclosure Information
Sharla R. Davis, PharmD; Stephanie D. Burns, PharmD; and Christopher M. Anoatubby, DPh.
Dr. Davis was the pharmacy resident for the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health at the time of this research and is currently the inpatient clinical pharmacy coordinator at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Dr. Burns is a clinical pharmacy coordinator and the residency program director at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center. Dr. Anoatubby was the chief of pharmacy services for the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health at the time of this research and is now the chief medical solutions officer for the Chickasaw Nation Division of Commerce.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) states that more than 12 million people have a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and estimates that another 12 million have the disease but are unaware of their condition. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.(1) Decreasing the prevalence of this disease is linked directly to reducing the risk factors for COPD developing in the first place. The greatest risk factor is tobacco use.(1)It is estimated that 75% of deaths in patients with COPD are directly caused by tobacco use.(2) Preventing, accurately diagnosing, and properly managing the disease are the ultimate goals for any health care facility.