Participants
The study population comprised people aged 35 years
or older with breathlessness and a history or risk of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Paramedics
at the site of the emergency determined the diagnosis
on the basis of appropriate acute symptoms, a history
of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or emphysema) from the patient, or a greater than 10 pack year
history of smoking. The study period was June 2006 to
July 2007, and all participants were transported by
ambulance and admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital. This is located in the Tasmanian state capital of
Hobart and is the major general hospital serving southern Tasmania (population approximately 250 000).