Masimo Rad-57 Carboxyhemoglobin monitors were purchased with funds donated by grateful patients during the March 2010 Doctors Day campaign to honor local physicians.

Prior to having this equipment, the only means of confirming elevated CO levels was by obtaining blood samples and running them through the NMC lab. The new device is simply clipped on to a finger (much the same as oxygen saturation monitors).

“It is painless, quick and accurate,” said Ted Cook, M.D., medical director for emergency medicine at NMC.

Dr. Cook said the new monitors provide three important benefits for the patient:

1) For most patients with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, their blood levels can be monitored without painfully drawing blood each time.
2) Patients with carbon monoxide poisoning may have shorter stays in the emergency department because monitoring can be accomplished more easily and quickly.
3) Some patients have carbon monoxide poisoning and don’t know it or have low risk factors. These non-invasive monitors allow for quick, painless, and effective screening of patients for hidden carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additionally, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other emergency workers can be monitored at the scene of a fire. This allows early removal of a person from a hazardous situation if that person has increased carbon monoxide levels, and in turn may prevent the need for emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

“We are extremely excited about having this diagnostic tool available for assessing patients and our own personnel at fire scenes to determine carbon monoxide exposure levels,” said Newton Fire/EMS deputy chief Mark Willis.

“This same principle applies to homes with suspected carbon monoxide leaks,” Dr. Cook said. “Until now, if there was a leak, everyone in the house got an emergency room visit to determine exposure levels. With these new monitors the fire department will be able to test people on scene and determine if they need to be evaluated at the hospital, thus saving many a trip to the hospital!”

Both Dr. Cook and Chief Willis thank the many thoughtful people who contributed to this cause.

“Alleviating pain and time lost for patients is important to us, as well as ensuring protections for the emergency workers we so respect and appreciate,” Dr. Cook said.

Photo left to right: Newton Medical Center President and CEO Steve Kelly; NMC Emergency Medicine Medical Director Ted Cook, M.D.; Newton Fire/EMS Chief Gary Denny; Newton Fire/EMS Deputy Chief Mark Willis.