Evaluation and Documentation of Supplemental Oxygen Requirements is Rarely Performed in Patients Hospitalized With COPD

Rationale: Patients hospitalized with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who require supplemental oxygen (O₂) are at increased risk of hospital readmissions. There is a paucity of information regarding quality of evaluation and documentation regarding the need for supplemental O₂ in this population. Objective: To determine the extent to which evaluation and documentation regarding the need for supplemental O₂ occurs prior to hospital discharge in patients with COPD. Methods: We conducted a two-center retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adults with a physician diagnosis of COPD. We reviewed electronic health records to ascertain whether patients underwent evaluation beyond rest oximetry documenting hypoxemia and if there was adequate documentation of supplemental O₂ requirements prior to discharge. Results: Of 526 patients hospitalized with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of COPD, 335 patients (mean age 69 years, 78% with diagnosis of COPD exacerbation) met eligibility criteria. Overall, 1 in 5 (22%, 73/335) hospitalized patients with COPD had an evaluation beyond rest oximetry for supplemental O₂ requirements during admission. Adequate documentation of supplemental O₂ requirements occurred in even fewer patients (16%, 54/335). Both evaluation (26% versus 5%, p=0.002) and documentation (19% versus 4%, p=0.001) of supplemental O₂ requirements were more common in patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation compared to those hospitalized with COPD but without an exacerbation. Conclusions: Evaluation and documentation of supplemental O₂ requirements beyond rest oximetry occur infrequently in patients hospitalized with COPD.