COPD Exacerbation Pathway
ED management of acute COPD exacerbation with disposition decisions.
Rendering…
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flowchart TD
A[Acute dyspnoea] --> Assess[SpO₂, ABG, CXR]
Assess --> O2[Target SpO₂ 88-92%\nVenturi mask]
Assess --> Bronc[Short-acting bronchodilators\nipratropium + salbutamol]
Assess --> Ster[Oral / IV corticosteroids]
Assess --> Abx{Infectious signs?}
Abx -- yes --> AbxRx[Antibiotics]
Abx -- no --> NoAbx[No antibiotics]
Assess --> ABG{pH < 7.35 &\nPaCO₂ > 45?}
ABG -- yes --> NIV[Non-invasive ventilation]
ABG -- no --> Resp{Improving?}
NIV --> Resp
Resp -- yes --> Disch[Step-down / discharge plan]
Resp -- no --> ICU[ICU admission /\nintubation if indicated]