Table 5. Adjustment to the GOLD guidelines.
| Audit 1 (n = 3,493) | Audit 2 (n = 4,650) | p value* | |
| Spirometry performed | 2,066 (59.1) | 3,202 (68.9) | <0.001 |
| Blood gas analysis performed | 3,091 (88.5) | 4,227 (90.9) | <0.001 |
| Radiography performed | 3,396 (97.2) | 4,627 (99.5) | <0.001 |
| Treatment with oxygen | 3,355 (97.4) | 4,422 (96.5) | 0.009 |
| Short-acting bronchodilator use | 3,337 (95.5) | 4,473 (96.2) | NS |
| No methylxanthine use | 3,146 (90.1) | 4,537 (97.6) | <0.001 |
| Systemic steroids | 3,185 (91.2) | 4,123 (88.7) | <0.001 |
| Adequate antibiotic use | 1,930 (61.5) | 2,782 (60.3) | NS |
| Adequate NIMV use | 2,625 (85.1) | 3,491 (85.6) | NS |
| Adequate IMV use | 2,994 (97.1) | 3,906 (95.8) | 0.005 |
Data are expressed as the mean (standard deviation) or absolute (relative) frequencies. NS: not significant. NIMV: non-invasive mechanical ventilation. IMV: invasive mechanical ventilation.
*Calculated using the unpaired Student’s t-test or chi-square test.