[Evaluation of the management of COPD exacerbations: an audit in French emergency services]

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are major events in the history of this chronic respiratory disease. Their management in French emergency services is unknown, although national guidelines exist.

This is a descriptive audit study, over a 10 weeks period (12/01-22/03/2009), of the management of COPD exacerbations in the RESUVal (Réseau des Urgences de la Vallée du Rhône, France) network emergency departments.

The enrollement of 16 emergency units allowed the analysis of 221 exacerbations of COPD. Measurement of respiratory rate and description of the sputum were mentioned in only 99 (45%) medical records. The rest of the initial assessment was generally satisfactory. Regarding the therapeutic management, 215 (97%) patients received oxygen, beta-2-agonist aerosols were administrated for 209 (95%) patients and anticholinergic aerosols were used for 176 (80%) patients. A systemic corticosteroid and antibiotics were respectively prescribed for 116 (52%) and 123 (56%) patients. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was used in only 59% of patients presenting a pH<7.35.

These findings demonstrate that management of exacerbations of COPD could be improved through systematic patients' respiratory rate and sputum characteristics recording or NIV utilization reinforcement.