ToolsCalculators
Ottawa COPD Risk Scale
Stratifies risk of short-term serious outcomes in ED COPD exacerbations.
Ottawa COPD Risk Scale
History of coronary artery bypass graft
History of intervention for peripheral vascular disease
Previous intubation for respiratory distress
Heart rate ≥110/min on ED arrival
Acute ischaemic changes on ECG
Pulmonary congestion on chest X-ray
Haemoglobin <100 g/L
Urea >12 mmol/L
Serum CO₂ (bicarbonate) >35 mmol/L
After ED treatment: SaO₂ <90% (room air or usual O₂) or heart rate >120/min
Result0 points
Low risk (roughly 2–5% risk of a short-term serious outcome). Risk of death, ICU admission, or other serious event within 14 days rises with the score.
When to use
- Patients with an acute COPD exacerbation being assessed in the emergency department for disposition.
Formula
Points: CABG (1), PVD intervention (1), prior intubation (2), HR ≥110 (2), acute ECG ischaemia (2), CXR congestion (1), haemoglobin <100 g/L (3), urea >12 mmol/L (1), serum CO₂ >35 mmol/L (1), post-treatment SaO₂ <90% or HR >120 (2). Range 0–16.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Serious outcomes include death, monitored-unit admission, intubation, myocardial infarction, or relapse needing admission within 14 days.
- The scale supplements clinical judgement; even a score of 0 carries a small residual risk.