Respiratory  |  COPD Pathway - Direct Referral

Indications for Hospital Admission

Refer appropriately to prevent further deterioration . The risk of death from exacerbation of COPD increases with acute Carbon dioxide retention , association with co-morbid conditions e.g IHD and complications such as pneumonia

Consider hospital admission if:

• Inadequate response to general practice management.
• Severe or rapid onset or cyanosis.
• Unable to walk between rooms when previously mobile.
• Unable to eat or sleep because of dyspnoea.
• Unable to manage at home even with COPD home support resources.
• High risk co-morbidity condition i.e. pneumonia, crescendo angina, renal impairment.
• Altered mental status and / or other signs of CO2 retention.
• Worsening hypoxaemia with need for oxygen, worsening right ventricular failure (oedema).
• Newly occurring arrhythmia.(COPD-X)

Phone the General Medicine Acute Registrar or Medical MOSS at:

Tauranga Hospital  Tel: 07 579 8000
Whakatane Hospital  Tel: 07 306 0999