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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Management
How should I follow up a person with COPD?
- Frequency of follow up
- Follow up people with very severe (stage 4) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at least twice per year.
- Follow up people with mild, moderate, or severe (stages 1–3) COPD at least once a year.
- In all people with COPD, assess or measure (and record) the following at follow up:
- In addition to the above, in people with very severe (stage 4) COPD, assess or measure and record the following at follow up:
- Oxygen saturation.
- Ensure that pulse oximetry is available.
- Need for referral for assessment for long-term oxygen therapy.
- Presence of depression. See the CKS topic on Depression.
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