Overview
Clinical Framing
COPD is the third leading cause of death in the US and is profoundly under treated in primary care.
COPD is the third leading cause of death in the US and is profoundly under-treated in primary care. NPs frequently manage COPD longitudinally, including initial spirometric diagnosis, GOLD-based inhaler escalation, exacerbation management, and admission triage. The most common errors are: under-diagnosing COPD, under-treating with only PRN SABA, over-relying on ICS without clear indication, and delaying pulmonary rehabilitation referral.
