Adult Guidelines
COPD Exacerbations

COPD Exacerbations

Microbiology

Empiric Therapy

Antimicrobials are recommended for patients with any of the following:

  • Increased dyspnea + sputum volume + sputum purulence
  • Increased sputum purulence + either increased dyspnea or sputum volume
  • Severe exacerbation requiring mechanical ventilation

Without Complicated COPDE factors

  • ≥4 exacerbations per year
  • Failure of first line therapy
  • Antibiotics in last 3 months