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Carbon Monoxide Awareness

The signs, symptoms, sources and general nature of both acute and chronic CO poisoning are poorly understood by the general public and health professionals. The Health Protection Agency takes this lack of awareness very seriously and is working hard, in consultation with other stakeholders, to tackle the issue (see below). Many misconceptions also persist that are potentially damaging the management of patients. For example, gas is not the only source of CO and 'cherry red' skin is not a common sign of CO poisoning.

Accidental deaths and low level CO poisoning can be prevented by increasing awareness among the public and health professionals of the symptoms of CO exposure.

 

A carbon monoxide algorithm for medical professionals

In its continued efforts to increase CO awareness, the HPA has sent every GP and Emergency Physician in England a diagnostic algorithm (flowchart) to help them diagnose and manage CO poisoning. More information can be found on the algorithm page.

 

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer

As part of CO Awareness Week (17-23 November 2008) a letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer on the issue of CO poisoning was sent to healthcare professionals throughout England to address the lack of awareness of the risks of CO poisoning among health professionals and the public. Doctors and nurses are being encouraged to ' Think CO' when presented with patients displaying flu-like symptoms or seemingly suffering from food poisoning.

 

NHS patient information leaflet on CO

Attached to the above letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer is a NHS information leaflet Carbon monoxide - Are you at risk?, for the public, warning of the dangers of CO, explaining the symptoms of CO poisoning, what to do in the event of a suspected case of CO poisoning and how to reduce the chances of CO poisoning in the home. It is hoped that these initiatives will result in action being taken to prevent poisoning, to ensure cases of CO poisoning are recognised as early as possible and to coordinate appropriate treatments and services for those that have been poisoned.

Read a press release on Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week .

 

The All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group report on CO awareness

One of the major problems with CO poisoning is that the symptoms of are very similar to those of flu, meaning that members of the public are often unaware that they are being poisoned and medical professionals find it difficult to reach the correct diagnosis. Accordingly, The All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group (APPGSG) undertook an inquiry into awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning amongst medical professionals and barriers to diagnosis and is soon to publish a report on its findings.

The inquiry looked at how to raise awareness of the symptoms of carbon monoxide among medical professionals, and how to ensure that they have the equipment necessary to make the correct diagnosis.The report will focus on the following key questions:

  • What are the current levels of awareness of carbon monoxide among the medical profession and to what extent do they need to be improved?
  • What activity has been undertaken to date with medical professionals to raise awareness and what further activity is needed?
  • What are the barriers to correct diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning?
  • What equipment can be used to test for carbon monoxide?
  • What are current levels of equipment provision?
  • Where does this equipment need to be made available?
  • What training is required to use the equipment?
  • What are the best forms of treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning?
  • What further research needs to be done in this area?

The report, when published, can be found here www.gassafetygroup.org.uk

 

CO surveillance and CO incident toolkit for Health Protection Units

Details of work on CO surveillance (Carbon monoxide: elements of environmental public health surveillance) and a pilot project to develop a decision support toolkit for Health Protection Units (HPUs) in the management of CO incidents (Developing best practice response to carbon monoxide incidents: a toolkit for health protection frontline staff) can be found in Issue 13 of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report (September 2008).

 

Carbon monoxide action card

An action card on CO incidents, has been developed by South West London HPU, outlining the steps to take in the management of a CO incident, and the roles and responsibilities of the agencies involved. Plans are now in place to pilot the action card nationally, through the Agency's Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division - Local and Regional Services (CHaPD-LaRS) chemical network group. An article on the action card entitled Development of a carbon monoxide 'action card' for public health practitioners can be found in Issue 10 of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report (September 2007).