Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is currently the gold standard for respiratory support for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Although oxygen delivery via high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used, comparable evidence of its efficacy and safety with NIPPV is rather scarce. This study aimed to compare the nursing outcome of HFNC with NIPPV in AECOPD patients. 168 patients with AECOPD were randomly divided into HFNC and NIPPV groups each having 84 patients. The two groups were given the same nursing methods. Arterial blood gases, respiratory support time, hospitalization days, complications, comfort and nursing satisfaction were compared. After treatments, the arterial blood gas parameters in the two groups were better than before the treatment (p < 0.05); the complications in the HFNC group were significantly lower than in the NIPPV group, and the comfort and nursing satisfaction were higher in HFNC than in NIPPV group (p < 0.05). The two methods are both effective for AECOPD patients; NIPPV has better outcomes with lower complications and improved comfort and nursing satisfaction.

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