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Indicator

The percentage of patients with COPD on the register, who have had a review in the preceding 12 months, including a record of the number of exacerbations and an assessment of breathlessness using the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale.

Indicator type

General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.

To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.

Rationale

This indicator aims to encourage the use of recording of number of exacerbations and assessments of breathlessness in annual COPD reviews. Understanding the frequency of exacerbations can help when creating personalised management plans, identifying triggers and avoiding future exacerbations.

Specification

Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have had a review in the preceding 12 months that included a record of the number of exacerbations and an assessment of breathlessness using the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale.

Denominator: The number of patients with COPD on the register (see NICE indicator IND190).

Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.

Exclusions: None

Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-5965-5