Hospital or community setting for management of exacerbation of COPD
- factors which favour treatment in hospital
- not able to cope at home
- severe breathlessness
- general condition is poor/ deteriorating
- level of activity is poor/confined to bed
- cyanosis is present
- worsening peripheral oedema
- impaired level of consciousness
- patient is already receiving long-term oxygen therapy
- patient is living alone/not coping
- acute confusion is present
- exacerbation has had a rapid rate of onset
- there is significant comorbidity particularly cardiac disease and insulin-dependent diabetes
- SaO2 < 90%
- changes on the chest radiograph are present
- arterial pH level < 7.35
- arterial PaO2 < 7 kPa
For further details consult the full guideline (1).
Reference
- NICE. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG115. Published December 2018, last updated July 2019
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