With or without Sputum Purulence?
Step 2 of the All-Wales Acute Exacerbation of COPD Guideline focuses on categorising a patient according to presence of sputum purulence; with increased sputum purulence or without sputum purulence. For patients without increased sputum purulence, proceed to manage their exacerbation without antibiotics; breathlessness techniques, increase SABA (2 puffs QDS), consider Prednisolone. For patients with increased sputum purulence, proceed down the pathway to steps 4 and 5.
Check out this Tutorial from Simon, who explores this further.
Step 2 of the All-Wales Acute Exacerbation of COPD Guideline focuses on categorising a patient according to presence of sputum purulence; with increased sputum purulence or without sputum purulence. For patients without increased sputum purulence, proceed to manage their exacerbation without antibiotics; breathlessness techniques, increase SABA (2 puffs QDS), consider Prednisolone. For patients with increased sputum purulence, proceed down the pathway to steps 4 and 5.
Check out this Tutorial from Simon, who explores this further.
The All-Wales Acute Exacerbation of COPD Pathway is the first national guideline to include C-Reactive Protein (CRP) point of care testing to guide antibiotic prescribing. The aim of this guideline is to reduce overall antibiotic prescribing for patients presenting to primary care with a COPD exacerbation.