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February 13, 2008

R.I. study: Simple test detects CO poisoning

A simple test done to people admitted to the emergency room can detect carbon monoxide poisoning in people who did not suspect they were poisoned, according to the results of a local study.

More than 14,000 patients that visited the Rhode Island Hospital emergency room were given a non invasive test to screen for exposure to the gas, which can cause dizziness, nausea, permanent heart damage, and in extreme cases, death.

In January, a woman, her boyfriend and her son were found dead in their house after they had been poisoned by carbon monoxide from an incorrectly installed boiler.

According to the study, published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, researchers found that11 people were being exposed to dangerous levels of the gas, but didn't know it. In all, 28 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning were detected.

The detection is done using a CO-oximeter , a sensor that can be placed on a patient's finger and measure the level of gas in a person's blood stream using a LED light.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is more common in the winter, according to the paper’s lead author, Selim Suner, director of emergency preparedness and disaster medicine at Rhode Island Hospital.

“Unless you have a carbon monoxide detector, it’s extremely difficult to know if you’re being exposed to toxic levels of this gas,” Suner said.

“If we can identify these cases of unsuspected poisoning early on, we can administer treatment and prevent them and others from being further exposed.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:00 AM | Permalink

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