本研究旨在比較實施個案管理與傳統照護模式，對慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者，在醫院之住院天數、醫療費用、疾病照護認知程度、護理照護滿意度等做成效探討。本研究採類實驗設計，以方便取樣，於北區某區域醫院之內科病房，挑選慢性阻塞性肺疾病併二度感染之病患共50名（對照組24名，實驗組26名）。對照組資料收集時間為民國92年9月至93年1月，採常規照護；實驗組資料收集時間為民國93年4 月至93年12月。研究工具包括：病患基本資料表、慢性阻塞性肺疾病照護認知評估表、護理照護滿意度問卷表。統計方法包括描述性和推論性統計，描述個案背景資料、分析住院天數、醫療費用、疾病認知程度、護理照護滿意度等資料之統計差異。研究結果發現：實施慢性阻塞性肺部疾病個案管理，在縮短住院天數及醫療費用並無統計上顯著差異；但可提升疾病照護認知及護理照護滿意程度。本研究結果顯示個案管理是一個有效的醫療管理方法，它可以提升病患疾病認知程度及提升護理照護滿意度。

The purpose of this study was to develop a case management program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to test the effects of the developed program on patient length of stay in the hospital, medical costs, disease knowledge and level of satisfaction with nursing care received. This quasi-experimental study focused on a group of 50 COPD patients (24 in the control group and 26 in the experimental one), all treated in one hospital medical ward in northern Taiwan. The control group received routine care, while those in the experimental group received a COPD case management protocol. Data for the control group was collected between September of 2003 and January 2004. Data for the experimental group was collected between April and December 2004. Data collection instruments included medical records, the COPD Knowledge Measurement scale, and the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied to describe demographics, length of stay, medical cost, patient disease-related knowledge, and patient satisfaction with nursing care. Results indicated that, while the study found no significant difference in length of stay and medical cost between the two groups, the use of case management procedures improved patient disease-related knowledge and satisfaction with nursing care. This conclusion supports the premise that case management improves patient care in these two dimensions and is, thus, an effective approach in the management of patients diagnosed with secondary COPD infections.