Validation of the Ottawa COPD Risk Scale?

The Ottawa COPD Risk Scale (OCRS; 0–16 points) was previously derived to help guide hospitalization decisions for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This validation study by the scale's creators enrolled 1415 patients with acute COPD exacerbation at six emergency departments (EDs) in Canada.

The OCRS score was recorded for all patients, but the decision to admit or discharge was based on clinician gestalt without influence from the OCRS. Patients were followed for 30 days. The composite outcome comprised death, mechanical ventilation, admission to a monitored unit, myocardial infarction, major procedures, or return ED visit ending in hospitalization. This occurred in 9.5% of patients. At a cuto…