The effect of early chest physiotherapy on occurrence of infection among patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Infection of the lungs is the most common cause of acute exacerbation of COPD. Is often from a virus, but it may also by bacteria, the lungs react to infection by developing inflammation that makes the airways narrow from muscle swelling. Aim: Evaluate the effect of early CPT on occurrence of infection among patients with AECOPD. Design: A quasi experimental research design used to conduct this study. A convenient sample consisted of study group (n=30) and control group (n=30) admitted to chest care unit at Assiut University Hospital & intensive care unit at Sohag University Hospital Tool: I: Patient Assessment: as A: socio-demographic data B: Laboratory investigation II Patient pulmonary assessment as A: Respiratory assessment (respiratory rate, bronchial secretion & breathing sound) B: Clinical pulmonary infection score. Results: Revealed highly significance in 4th &7th days in study group compared with control group regarding breathing sound. Regarding occurrence of infection observed highly significance in 7th day in study compared with control groups. Conclusion: Efficient early CPT among patients with AECOPD significantly success to minimize lung infection. Recommendation: Applied as a routine care for cases to improve the patient’s outcomes.