L.U.N.G. Program for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
University Hospitals offers a self-management program designed to empower patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to recognize early signs of symptom flare-ups, respond appropriately at home, and reduce preventable hospital stays.
Contact Us
For non-emergency patient questions, call the COPD navigator at 440-827-5165.
Note: Please contact your doctor’s office directly for prescription refills.
The L.U.N.G. program for patients with COPD is currently available at UH Elyria and UH St. John medical centers only. This program provides patients with targeted COPD education, personalized support, and a standardized COPD Rescue Kit to promote timely intervention during Yellow Zone symptom flare-ups – with the goal of reducing hospital readmissions and optimizing long-term patient health.
What Does L.U.N.G. Mean?
Learn about COPD: You received a COPD patient guide at discharge. Keep and review the guide as it will help remind you of the education you received while you were in the hospital.
Understand the Risk Factors: Stay away from anything that triggers a COPD flare-up. Do not smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke.
Notice the Symptoms: Use your COPD Zones handout.
- Green Zone means your normal daily symptoms are at baseline with no new or worsening symptoms.
- Yellow Zone means to use caution. You want to pay attention to the start of this zone and follow the guidelines on your COPD action plan. Start your COPD rescue kit, if available.
- Red Zone means you are no longer able to manage your symptoms at home. You need to go to the nearest hospital. Do not drive yourself. Call 9-1-1.
Gain Control: Managing your COPD at home means you are protecting your lungs and able to get through your COPD flare-up without being admitted to the hospital. Keep in mind, you can do everything right and still end up not being able to manage your symptoms at home. This program is meant to be a guideline, but you and your doctor are still in charge. If you feel you cannot manage your symptoms or enter the Red Zone, call 9-1-1.
COPD Rescue Kit
UH Healthy at Home Virtual Clinic
You do not need to be in a COPD flare-up to be part of UH Healthy at Home. From virtual consultations with healthcare professionals to home-based fitness and nutrition plans, we’re here to make healthy living convenient, accessible and effective.
A COPD rescue kit contains instructions and medications to self-manage a COPD flare-up at home with the goal to prevent emergency room visit or hospitalization.
When should I use a COPD rescue kit?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, use your kit as directed:
- Shortness of breath (using inhaler more often, worsening of normal breathing)
- Mucus (thicker or change in color)
- Chest cold, wheezing or tightness
- Fatigue or reduced energy
If you start your COPD rescue kit but do not feel better, start feeling worse, or feel like you cannot manage your symptoms at home, go to the nearest emergency room. (Do not drive yourself.)
Call 9-1-1 if you experience urgent medical symptoms like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, coughing up blood, confusion or drowsiness.
If you use your COPD rescue kit, it is important to contact your doctor to get a refill.
- Should I start my kit if I can’t reach my doctor?
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Yes, if you are in your Yellow Zone, start your rescue kit. Leave a message for your doctor and schedule a follow-up visit. You will need this visit to get a refill of your kit.
- What if I didn’t receive a COPD rescue kit?
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Your doctor did not find it appropriate at the time of your hospital discharge. If you believe you would benefit from a COPD rescue but did not receive one, talk with your primary care or pulmonary doctor. You should still follow the COPD zone guidelines on your COPD action plan, even without a rescue kit. You should be seen by your doctor or go to an urgent care facility if you enter your yellow zone. This will help you to stay out of the red zone and return to the green zone.
- When should I NOT use the COPD rescue kit?
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Do not take the antibiotic that is part of your COPD rescue kit if you are currently taking an antibiotic. You may start the other medications, but you will likely need a different antibiotic. Contact your doctor for further instructions.