Using Standardized Care Bundles in the Emergency Department to Decrease Mortality in Patients Presenting with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD)

Abstract

There is significant variability when managing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the emergency department among doctors, hospitals, and health systems. This variability could contribute to the variable outcomes related with them. The use of standardized care bundles allows clinical teams to focus their efforts on a small number of measurable strategies aimed at improving specified outcomes. This article will review the importance of clinical care bundles when managing these diseases in the emergency department and its potential to decrease mortality.