Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

< 1 min read

Clinical tools and resources for health professionals

Lung Foundation Australia offers a comprehensive suite of clinical tools to support the delivery of best-practice chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care across all healthcare settings. These resources are grounded in the COPD-X Plan and are designed to support implementation of the Clinical Care Standard in day-to-day practice. 

Whether you’re working in primary care, pharmacy, or hospital settings, these tools can help you identify, assess, manage, and support people living with COPD. Practice nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals with appropriate training can be valuable team members for conducting spirometry.

Sections on this page

Key COPD Clinical Tools

COPD-X Plan

The full clinical practice guidelines for the management of COPD in Australia and New Zealand. Endorsed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), COPD-X is updated quarterly and available online at www.copdx.org.au

Spirometry

Spirometry may be conducted in point-of-care settings like a general practice (GP) or a pharmacy consulting room. 

Spirometry Testing

Identify patients who need spirometry testing using Lung Foundation Australia’s 2-minute Lung Health Checklist.

Spirometry Diagnosis and Training

See the MBS online website for Medicare item descriptors for office-based spirometry for diagnosis and monitoring

Lung Learning Hub

Check the Lung Learning Hub for spirometry training courses that comply with the TSANZ spirometry course standards.  

COPD-X Handbook

The COPD-X Handbook is a practical, point-of-care summary of the COPD-X guidelines, organised by 13 key clinical questions. Available as a mobile-friendly, downloadable PDF. 

Stepwise Management of Stable COPD 

An at-a-glance guide to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, based on symptom severity and exacerbation risk. 

COPD Inhaler Device Chart Poster

A side-by-side chart poster comparison of PBS-listed inhalers used in COPD, including device type, key instructions, and medication groupings. 

COPD Action Plan

An editable PDF designed to help patients recognise and respond to exacerbations early, with clear instructions tailored to their treatment plan. 

Managing exacerbations algorithm (primary care)

This algorithm provides health professionals with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to manage COPD exacerbations, and when to refer to hospital. 

Managing COPD Exacerbation Checklist (hospital)

This resource summarises key evidence-based actions to take at discharge for flare-up, to reduce hospitalisation risk and long-term lung damage.

COPD GPMP/TCA template

This template can be integrated into medical software systems. It supports structured COPD care planning, chronic disease management, and proactive patient-centred care within primary healthcare settings.

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Last updated on June 29th, 2025 at 05:48 pm

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