1. Medical history before exacerbation: prior measures of lung function (B)* | 37. Smoking cessation advice when active smoker (A) |
2. Medical history before exacerbation: spirometric classification of severity (B) | 38. Appropriate prescription of short-acting bronchodilatators (A) |
3. Medical history before exacerbation: documenting frequency andseverity of attacks of breathlessness (B) | 39. Appropriate prescription of long-acting bronchodilatators(β-agonists and/or anticholinergics) (A) |
4. Medical history before exacerbation: documenting frequency andseverity of chronic cough (B) | 40. Appropriate prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (A) |
5. Medical history before exacerbation: history of chronicsputum production (B) | 41. Appropriate prescription of glucocorticosteroids: oralor intravenous (A) |
6. Medical history before exacerbation: documenting possible limitationof daily activities (B) | 42. Appropriate prescription of methylxanthines (theophyllineor aminophylline) (A) |
7. Medical history before exacerbation: prior arterial blood gasmeasurements in sTable condition (B) | 43. Antibiotics in patients if indicated (A) |
44. Patient education information about recognition andtreatment of exacerbation (A) | |
8. Medical history before exacerbation: number of previousexacerbations in the previous year (B) | 45. Patient education: instruction on how to use inhalers (A) |
9. Medical history before exacerbation: number of previoushospitalizations (B) | 46. Chest physiotherapy: sputum clearance (A) |
47. Referral to pulmonary rehabilitation (A) | |
10. Medical history before exacerbation: pre-existing co-morbidities (A) | 48. Monitoring of fluid balance (A) |
49. Fluid administration in dehydrated patients (A) | |
11. Medical history before exacerbation: present treatment regimen (A) | 50. Supplementary nutrition in patients with BMI <20 (B) |
51. Screening and update of vaccination status (B) | |
12. Medical history before exacerbation: smoking status (B) | 52. Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis (A) |
13. Medical history before exacerbation: sleeping and eating difficulties (B) | 53. Treatment of co-morbid conditions (A) |
14. Assessment of symptoms: physical examination (B) | 54. Initiation of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) if thepatient remains hypoxemic (A) |
15. Assessment of differential diagnosis (B) | 55. Assessment of medical discharge criteria (D) |
16. Assessment of co-morbidities (B) | 56. Assessment and management of home situation (A) |
17. Temperature (B) | 57. Oral information and discharge letter regarding prescribedhome therapy and follow-up appointment (B) |
18. Pulse rate (B) | 58. Arrangement of follow-up appointment four to six weeksafter discharge (D) |
19. Blood pressure (B) | 59. Medical history before exacerbation: number of previousadmissions to ICU (D) |
20. Alertness (B) | 60. Medical history before exacerbation: cardiovascular status (B) |
21. Skin color (B) | 61. Glucose monitoring (B) |
22. Pulse oximetry (D) | 62. CT THORAX: 1 X year (B) |
23. Arterial blood gas measurement: At admission (B) | 63. ECHO CARDIO: 1 X year (B) |
24. Arterial blood gas measurement: prior to discharge inpatients hypoxemic during a COPD exacerbation (B) | 64. Patient education: information about the nature of COPD (A) |
25. Arterial blood gas measurement: in the following threemonths in patients hypoxemic during a COPD exacerbation (D) | 65. Patient education: self-management plan (A) |
26. Arterial blood gas measurement: after discharge in patientswith long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) (B) | 66. Patient education strategies for minimizing dyspnoea (A) |
27. Chest X-ray (B) | 67. Patient education information about oxygen treatment (A) |
28. ECG (B) | 68. Physiotherapy: breathing techniques (A) |
29. Blood examination: hematology (B) | 69. Physiotherapy: Activities of Daily Life (A) |
30. Blood examination: biochemical tests (B) | 70. Physiotherapy: positioning (A) |
31. Blood examination: theophylline level in patients on theophyllinetherapy at admission (B) | 71. Identification for pulmonary rehabilitation determinant (B) |
32. Sputum culture and anti-biogram (B) | 72. Body mass index (BMI) determinant (A) |
33. Spirometry during hospitalization (not earlier than Day 3 becauseof acute condition) (C) | 73. Screening for weight loss (A) |
34. Admission to ICU if exacerbation is life threatening (B) | 74. Referral to dietician in patient with obesity or cachexie (B) |
75. Assessment and management of anxiety and depression (B) | |
35. Controlled oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients (A) | 76. Information letter for general practitioner (B) |
36. Assisted ventilation if necessary (A) | 77. Discharge checklist (B) |