Early and Long-term Outcomes of Older Adults after Acute Care Encounters for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

Repeat hospitalizations and emergency department visits and death are common in older fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries seen in acute care for AE-COPD. Our results suggest that addressing important comorbid conditions, such as heart failure or malnutrition, and targeting resources to oxygen-dependent or dual Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible patients may help modify these outcomes.