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Carbon monoxide poisoning: Reporting required
Due to the ongoing severe cold weather conditions and associated increase in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning among
King
County
residents, Public Health is making suspected CO poisoning immediately reportable to Public Health by hospitals and healthcare providers for seven days from today, through Dec. 24, 2006. This period will be extended if necessary.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Inhalation of carbon monoxide gas typically leads to headache, dizziness, and confusion, which might progress to dyspnea, tachypnea, syncope, and metabolic acidosis. Laboratory criteria for diagnosis: A case in which carboxyhemoglobin concentration exists >5% in venous or arterial blood in nonsmokers and >10% in smokers, as determined by hospital or commercial laboratory tests. The typical range of carboxyhemoglobin concentrations in smokers is 6%-10%.
Advice regarding diagnosis and treatment management of CO intoxication is available 24/7 through Washington State Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
This health order impacts primarily emergency departments (ED) and the information should be disseminated to all ED staff in King County hospitals immediately. A designated person on each shift should be identified to report cases of CO poisoning to Public Health.
Content of reports include:
- Patient name, date of birth (age if DOB unavailable), street address and ZIP code of residence, and street address and ZIP code of location of poisoning if different from residence
- Initial carboxyhemoglobin level
- Source of CO (cooking stove, generator, etc)
- Type of fuel used (wood, charcoal, kerosene, oil, etc.)
- Disposition (e.g., admitted, ICU admission, died, discharged)
- Language spoken if not English, and cultural group or ethnicity. Cultural group and ethnicity are important so that we can target appropriate prevention messages to affected groups in the community
A line list will be provided to hospitals to report cases that occurred prior to this alert.
How to report:
Report cases of CO poisoning 24 hours a day by calling the Communicable Disease Section at 206-296-4774 between 8 AM and 5 PM and/or by calling our automated report line at 206-296-4782 24 hours a day.
Shelter information is available at 206-205-3764 (King County Emergency Operation Center)
CDC information on CO poisoning:
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