COPD Register Review Alert (HP450)

COPD Register Review Alert (HP450)

HP450 COPD Register Review Alert

Overview/Purpose

This protocol supports QOF 2026/27 COPD register accuracy.

It alerts users where changes to the QOF COPD register rules appear to have either added or removed a patient from the COPD register. This allows the patient’s COPD coding to be reviewed and amended where appropriate.

What does it do?

The protocol checks the patient’s record against the updated QOF COPD register logic.

It identifies two scenarios:

  • patients who appear to have been removed from the COPD register following QOF changes
  • patients who appear to have been added to the COPD register following QOF changes

Where either scenario applies, the user is shown an alert advising them to review the COPD coding.

Why is it important?

QOF rule changes can affect which patients appear on the COPD register.

This may mean that some patients:

  • are newly included because of qualifying COPD diagnosis or monitoring/procedure codes
  • are removed because their previous coding no longer meets the current QOF register logic

The protocol helps practices identify these patients opportunistically so that records can be reviewed and corrected where appropriate.

What will the user see?

The alert is titled:

Review COPD coding

If a patient has been removed from the COPD register, the alert explains that the patient has been removed following this year’s QOF changes and shows the previous COPD diagnosis code and date.

If a patient has been added to the COPD register, the alert explains that the patient has been added following this year’s QOF changes and may show:

  • COPD diagnosis code and date
  • recent COPD procedure or monitoring code and date

Users should:

  • review the COPD coding shown in the alert
  • check whether the patient should clinically remain on the COPD register
  • amend or update COPD coding where appropriate
  • consider whether any COPD review or follow-up is needed
  • avoid changing coding unless it accurately reflects the patient’s clinical record

System Dependencies

This protocol relies on accurate recording of:

  • COPD diagnosis codes
  • COPD monitoring and procedure codes
  • QOF COPD register logic for 2026/27

System Triggers

This is an alert protocol which triggers on loading a patient record

Change management considerations

Practices should ensure clinical and coding teams understand:

  • QOF COPD register changes may affect register inclusion
  • patients flagged by the alert should be reviewed clinically
  • coding should only be amended where clinically appropriate
  • the alert is intended to support coding accuracy, not automatic register correction

Technical development notes

Expected alert behaviour:

  • if historical COPD coding exists but the patient no longer meets current COPD register logic, the alert should show the patient has been removed from the register
  • if the patient now meets current COPD register logic but was not previously included, the alert should show the patient has been added to the register
  • if no discrepancy exists, the protocol should end without alerting the user

How to get it

This protocol is installed as part of the PCIT Handy Protocols set.

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