FIG: 9:  The latest 2017 report by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) addressed optimal management of patients with stable COPD and looked at patients post discharge for COPD, to address what should be done to improve their care.  Looking first at nonpharmacologic treatment recommendations, these recommend fostering education of the patients about their disease and about self-management of COPD, and recommend getting patients into rehabilitation, especially within 30 days of discharge. 

The 2017 GOLD report emphasizes the importance of vaccinations, both influenza and pneumococcal (PCV13 and PSV23) vaccines.^[8]  The report also recommends looking at optimal nutrition supplementation in undernourished patients and at palliating patients with severe breathlessness.  Finally, in patients with more advanced disease, it may be appropriate in a select group of individuals to have some discussion about end-of-life care.