Medical Management of Hospitalized Patients with Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Hospitalized patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that can be successfully managed with timely identification, evaluation, and medical treatment to prevent and treat exacerbations. If possible, an experienced interdisciplinary team led by hospitalists who are involved early in the hospitalization is more likely to achieve shorter hospital lengths of stay, improve regular outpatient follow-up, and reduce rates of hospital readmission for exacerbations.