Preventing acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in COPD patients

Abstract

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk of developing acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) if given high-concentration uncontrolled oxygen inappropriately. This article analyses a critical incident involving a patient who developed AHRF, and identifies areas for improvement in clinical practice that would improve the standard of care for patients with COPD.