Validation of HealthCare Standards in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Validation of HealthCare Standards in COPD

VESALIO is a pilot study aimed at evaluating the feasibility and reliability (time stability and interobserver reliability) of healthcare quality standards in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recently outlined by SEPAR (Spanish Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery Society), and at establishing the foundation for a future validation (construct and criterion validation) of the aforementioned standards.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women 40 years of age or older
• Diagnosis of COPD at hospital discharge
• Hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients hospitalized for the first time at the participating site without a documented history of COPD
• Patients currently participating of having ever participated in a COPD-related clinical trial
• Patients with a serious disease that might affect the measured outcomes (terminal oncologic disease, neoplastic disease for which the patient is receiving chemo/radiotherapy, terminal renal insufficiency, AIDS)