Nurse-led interventions and care for people with bronchiectasis: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Nursing Care

Background:

• Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease often poorly understood by the public and non-specialists.
• Nurses play a crucial role in patient assessment and coordinating multidisciplinary care for bronchiectasis.
• Effective patient and colleague education by nurses can significantly enhance care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight current nursing care practices for patients with bronchiectasis.
• To explore the necessity for developing specialist nursing roles in bronchiectasis management.
• To present findings from a UK-based audit on nursing care for bronchiectasis.

Main Methods:

• A UK audit was conducted in December 2024.
• Data was collected from 72 nurses providing care to bronchiectasis patients.
• Participants represented primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare settings.

Main Results:

• The audit identified key aspects of nursing care delivery for bronchiectasis patients.
• Findings underscore the importance of nurses in managing this condition.
• The study points to a need for enhanced specialist nursing support.

Conclusions:

• Nurses are pivotal in managing bronchiectasis through assessment, coordination, and education.
• There is a clear need for further development of specialist nurses in bronchiectasis care.
• Improving nursing expertise can lead to better patient outcomes in bronchiectasis.