The effects of oxygen therapy in patients presenting to an emergency department with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In reply: We performed a retrospective audit as part of a quality improvement program following a number of serious adverse events in various areas of our hospital. Our article showed that carbon dioxide retention in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is common (41 of 65 patients admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] over 4 months), and that guidelines on blood gas measurement and oxygen use were not being followed.