INSPIRED (Respiratory Disease Support)

What is INSPIRED?

INSPIRED is an acronym for: Implementing a Novel Supportive Program for Individualized care for Patients and Families Living with Respiratory Disease. A team of health professionals provide education and support to help people manage their breathing problems at home and avoiding trips to the Emergency Department. Horizon adopted the INSPIRED program and developed tools and partnerships to initially offer the program at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital. INSPIRED is now offered at most Horizon hospitals.

How is this service provided?

Hospitalized patients with COPD may be eligible for this program. You will be visited by a respiratory therapist or certified respiratory educator and introduced to the program.  Education materials from Living Well with COPD will be provided and the educator will begin to review this information with you and answer any questions. The educator will work with your physician to develop an action plan for you to use after discharge, if or when your breathing worsens. This plan will be reviewed with you and the educator will answer any questions you have.

When you are discharged, you will also receive visits from a respiratory therapist from the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program. They will continue to offer education about COPD and answer any questions that you have.

The educators will help you identify personal triggers and when to call your family physician or nurse practitioner when your symptoms worsen, as well as help you develop an action plan to document your specific goals.

How can I access it?

If you are concerned about your breathing, please talk with your family physician or primary health care provider. You may then be referred to us for this service.

This service is only for inpatients (people who are hospitalized), with some Horizon community health centres offering an ambulatory version of the program.

Patients can be referred to the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program for this service.

How do I prepare for it?

There is no preparation is required. If you have specific questions or goals, please share them with the educator working with you.