Why Is This Important?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production and wheezing. COPD is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It's characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production. Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter. Chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States in 2019. Over eleven million Americans are believed to have been diagnosed with COPD.

Definition

Emergency department (ED) visits due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Primary diagnosis of COPD, defined by ICD-9 490-492, 493.2 (only when 490-492 or 496 is present), 496 or ICD-10 codes J40-44.

Data Sources

• Hospital Discharge Data Collection System (NJDDCS), Health Care Quality and Assessment, New Jersey Department of Health
  (https://nj.gov/health/healthcarequality/health-care-professionals/njddcs/)
• American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau
  (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

COPD emergency department (ED) visit rates vary widely among New Jersey counties. Rates for emergency department visits are highest in Atlantic and Cumberland Counties. Disparities in emergency department visit rates likely reflect differences in: smoking; access to effective medical management; co-existing chronic diseases; and environmental or occupational triggers. Some of the decline in ED visits for COPD in 2020 is likely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic due to residents' fears of going to the hospital and being exposed to COVID.