Written/Researched By: Khash Farzam

Peer Review By: Caleb Dusdal

Objective One: In all patients presenting with symptoms of prolonged or recurrent cough, dyspnea, or decreased exercise tolerance, especially those who also have a significant smoking history, suspect the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective Two: When the diagnosis of COPD is suspected, seek confirmation with pulmonary function studies (e.g., FEV1).

Objective Three: In patients with COPD, use pulmonary function tests periodically to document disease progression.

Objective Four:

Encourage smoking cessation in all patients diagnosed with COPD.

Objective Five:

Offer appropriate vaccinations to patients diagnosed with COPD (e.g., influenza/pneumococcal vaccination).

Objective Six:

In an apparently stable patient with COPD, offer appropriate inhaled medication for treatment (e.g., anticholinergics/bronchodilators if condition is reversible, steroid trial).

Objective Seven:

Refer appropriate patients with COPD to other health professionals (e.g., a respiratory technician or pulmonary rehabilitation personnel) to enhance quality of life.

Objective Eight:

When treating patients with acute exacerbations of COPD, rule out co-morbidities (e.g., myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, systemic infections, anemia).

Objective Nine:

In patients with end-stage COPD, especially those who are currently stable, discuss, document, and periodically re-evaluate wishes about aggressive treatment interventions.