Donovan Quill, President and CEO, Optime Care, article featured on July 16, 2021.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition that is commonly called “genetic COPD.” It affects about 100,000 people in the United States. This disease is often first diagnosed as asthma or smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. About 3% of all people diagnosed with COPD may have undetected Alpha-1.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a patient-first approach that includes telehealth and virtual care options has been vital for addressing the unique healthcare coordination needs of patients with rare pulmonary disease, including Alpha-1. This genetic condition may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age.
This article highlights Optime Care’s patient-first approach that leverages telehealth consults to effectively mitigate the transmission of infection, such as coronavirus, for these vulnerable individuals. This strategy ensures care continuity across the entire patient journey with robust communication to yield rich data that clinicians can use to make more informed decisions and improve the overall patient experience. This focus also addresses variables surrounding data collection while maintaining frequent communication with patients and their families to ensure compliance and positive outcomes.
