Invited Commentary

Inhaled Therapy for Acute COPD Exacerbation in the Hospital: Are We Missing the Low-Hanging Fruit?

Authors: Divya C. Patel, DO, Rendell W. Ashton, MD

Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Self and colleagues have published a retrospective study focused on patients hospitalized for acute non-life-threatening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and the inhaled bronchodilator therapy prescribed during hospitalization.1 They examine the incidence of missed administration of inhaled medications and whether alternative means of administering these medications was utilized.

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References

1. Woods JA, Usery JB, Self TH, et al. An evaluation of inhaled bronchodilator therapy in patients hospitalized for non-life-threatening COPD exacerbations. South Med J 2011;104:742-745.
 
2. Turner MO, Patel A, Ginsburg S, et al. Bronchodilator delivery in acute airflow obstruction. Arch Intern Med 1997;157:1736-1744.
 
3. Numatat Y, Bourbeau J, Ernst P, et al. Teaching time for metered-dose inhalers in the emergency setting. Chest 2002;122:498-504.
 
4. Turner MO, Ganfi A, Swan D, et al. A review and economic evaluation of bronchodilator delivery methods in hospitalized patients. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:2113-2118.