Caring for COPD patients requires the skills of various healthcare professionals in order for them to receive the best care. The team can include:

 

Respiratory Nurse Specialists – Are able to assess the patients needs including oxygen need and how appropriate the delivery systems they use for their inhalers are.

 

Physiotherapists - They can teach patients techniques to manage excessive sputum such as breathing techniques and the use of positive expiratory pressure masks.

 

Occupational therapists - COPD patients should be reviewed regularly to see how they cope with activities of daily living and if they become breathless while doing so.

 

Social services - Many COPD patients can become disabled by the disease and should be considered for referral to social services who can then assess their needs.

 

Nutritionist - Can help if the patient is struggling to maintain a healthy BMI (between 20-25).  They can also offer advice if the patients BMI is low and offer nutritional supplements where needed.