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Objective To understand the adherence to current treatment guidelines after training in man-agement of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in emergency department (ED),and to assess the patients' prognosis. Methods Were ED doctors trained with a standard management flow-sheet for AECOPD. The treatment of 152 AECOPD patients recruited from November 1,2008 to April 30,2009 in our hospital and their prognosis were compared to those of 133 AECOPD patients who were treated between Novem-ber 1,0007 to April 30,2008. Results After training, the ED doctors' management of AECOPD is more standard. The rate of the combination of inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting β_2-agonists was increased from 12.0% (16/133) to 27.6% (42/152), the use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids was increased from 52.6% (70/133) to 88.8% (135/152), and the early use of noninvasive imermittent positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) for the mod-erate to severe was increased from 10.5% (14/133) to 16.4% (25/152). The use of theophylline was decreased from 69.2% (92/133) to 49.3% (75/152). The in-ED mortality rate was decreased from 15.8% (21/133) to 12.5% (19/152). All the difference were significant (P< 0.05). The rate of inhaled β_2-agonists was increased from 78.2% (104/133) to 82.9% (126/152), the use of systemic glucocorticosteroids was decreased from 63.2% (84/133) to 56.6% (86/152),the use of antibiotics was increased from 88.0% (117/133) to 92.8% (141/152), and the use of invasive mechanical ventilation was increased from 14.3% (19/133) to 15.1% (23/152) ,the in-hos-pital mortality rate was decreased from 6.0% (8/133) to 5.3% (8/152), the average days in hospital was decreased from 13.3 to 12.4 days, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions There are still some differences exist between guideline recommendations and actual ED management of AECOPD. After training ED doctora with a standard flow-sheet, their management of AECOPD is improved. The rate of the combination of inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting β_2-agonists, use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids, and early use of NIPPV is increased. The use of theophylline and the in-ED mortality rate is decreased.