Hospitals Successfully Adopt QualyEPI Protocol for Enhanced Treatment of EPI Patients
In a significant step forward for the care of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the successful completion of the pilot phase of the QualyEPI norm in nine Spanish hospitals. The initiative, which consists of 43 quality criteria and 46 indicators, aims to improve the quality of care for patients with ILD.
Eva Balcells, coordinator of the Interstitial Lung Disease Unit at Hospital del Mar, led the pilot phase, focusing on the early stages of the 'patient journey', with special attention to in-hospital diagnosis. The process included analyzing circuits between different specialists, referral from Primary Care to Pneumology, and complementary tests.
The QualyEPI norm is primarily designed to improve the quality and timeliness of diagnosis and management of ILD associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (ES). Key goals and improvements include intensifying monitoring of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases to detect early development of ILD, ensuring early and regular use of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans to identify ILD as soon as possible, and responding urgently to respiratory function deterioration by performing additional diagnostic tests.
Marta Carrera, director of Market Access & Healthcare Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim Spain, highlighted the crucial role of the collaboration with SECA and the participating centers in the success of the QualyEPI norm. The 9 hospitals that participated in the pilot phase have shown a strong commitment to improving the patient experience throughout their care journey.
The learnings and results of this pilot phase will allow for the review, adjustment, and perfection of the content of the QualyEPI norm. During the first year of implementing the QualyEPI norm, participating centers will be able to measure the impact of the implemented improvements by tracking 8 selected indicators.
Balcells notes that by analyzing waiting times, many aspects that can be improved were identified, and regular analysis and improvement plans should be established. The average time between the onset of the first symptoms and the definitive diagnosis of an ILD is between 1 and 2 years, and diagnostic delay is directly associated with a higher rate of hospitalizations, a significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients, and lower survival rates.
The QualyEPI norm is a useful, adaptable, and transformative tool for daily clinical practice throughout Spain. It seeks to standardize and elevate ILD care by promoting early detection, rigorous monitoring, and evidence-based treatment adaptations based on real-world patient data. This includes supporting clinical decision-making with real-world evidence (RWE) data complementing clinical trial findings on treatments such as OFEV® (nintedanib), used for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (FPI) and progressive fibrosing ILD.
As the QualyEPI norm moves into its next phase, it is hoped that the improvements made during the pilot phase will lead to better outcomes for patients with ILD in Spain.
Patient care for chronic diseases like interstitial lung diseases (ILD) could see improvement with the incorporation of sports-related health and wellness programs, as regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can boost the immune system and slow disease progression. However, to ensure immediate and accurate diagnoses, medical-conditions like ILD could benefit from increased focus in the realm of science, particularly through the early and regular use of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans, as suggested by the QualyEPI norm.
