Acute exacerbations of COPD: recommendations for integrated care

Abstract

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPDs) are significant events that come with high costs for patients and for society. Initial management of exacerbations consists of pharmacotherapy and a reassessment of pre-existing management and self-management strategies. Currently, care for AECOPDs is often suboptimal. Integrated care consisting of self-management support, delivery system design, decision support and clinical information systems will probably improve the quality of healthcare delivery for patients with AECOPDs. In this review, we summarize current knowledge related to the epidemiology and management of AECOPDs, identify shortcomings in current clinical practice and give recommendations for innovative, integrated and optimized care for these patients.

Keywords::

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• exacerbation
• integrated care
• management

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.