when to give rescue pack to COPD patients

A rescue pack, consisting of a short course of oral corticosteroids and oral antibiotics to keep at home, should be offered to patients with COPD as part of their exacerbation action plan if they have had an exacerbation within the last year and remain at risk of exacerbations. The patient must understand and be confident in how and when to take these medications, including awareness of the associated benefits and harms. They should also know to inform their healthcare professional when the medications are used and to request replacements ¹.

When advising on self-management, it is important to include details on the early recognition and management of exacerbations. This includes guidance on how to adjust short-acting bronchodilator therapy for symptoms and when to contact a healthcare professional if there is no response. It also covers when to take the prescribed short courses of oral corticosteroids and antibiotics kept at home for exacerbations, and when to contact a healthcare professional ¹.