Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and disabling condition that limits airflow in the lungs. People with COPD experience increasing shortness of breath, a persistent cough with phlegm or mucus and a limited ability to complete everyday activities due to poor exercise tolerance.

Local health districts and speciality networks are using the Australian and New Zealand COPD-X guidelines​ to implement solutions that improve health outcomes and services for people with COPD. They are also working with primary health and community care providers to:

• ​reduce clinical variation
• increase education, resources and support for COPD patients to self-manage their disease
• develop optimal care after discharge and at end of life.

Visit the Agency for Clinical Innovation for more information. ​​​​​