Tabak et al described risk classes associated with the acronym BAP-65 (BUN, altered mental status, pulse, age relative to 65 years) for patients experiencing an exacerbation of COPD. This can help to triage patients at hospital admission based on expected need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. The authors are from Cardinal Health in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Harvard Medical School in Boston, and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.