COPD, SAFETY NETTING AND WORSENING ADVICE

Question 1

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THIS PATIENT?

Answer 1

IF THE PATIENT CAN:
COPE AT HOME
BREATHLESSNESS IS MILD
GENRALLY GOOD CONDITION
HAVE GOOD LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
NO CYANOSIS
NO WORSENING PERIPHERAL OEDEMA
NORMAL LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES/SUPPORT IS GOOD
THEN LEAVE AT HOME AND REFER TO GP TO REVIEW.

Question 2

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HOSPTIAL ?

Answer 2

IF THE PATIENT CANT
- COPE AT HOME
- HAVE SEVERE BREATHLESSNESS
- CONDITION IS POOR/ DETERIORATING
- LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IS POOR OR CONFINED T0 A BED
- PATIENT HAS CYANOSIS
LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS IMPAIRED
- LIVING ALONE NOT COPING
- RAPID ONSET
- SIGNIFICANT COMORBIDING
- SATS BELWO 90%

Question 3

WHAT WORSENING ADVICE ARE WE GIVING ?

Answer 3

IF THE PATIENT HAS ANY, RAPID PROGRESSION OF SOB, CHEST PAIN, ALTERED LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, SUDDEN ONSET OF HEADACHES, UNABLE TO MOBILISE, NOTICE ANY BLUE TINGE TO LIPS OR FINGERS TO CALL 999 BACK.