IRVINE, Calif. — Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry and Read-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, today announced the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) has issued guidance to all its members advocating carbon monoxide screenings for patients presenting with any of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or suspected exposure. In addition, the organization is advocating enhanced carbon monoxide training programs for all EMS professionals to help improve outcomes and save lives.
In a letter to its membership issued earlier this month, NAEMSE said failing to diagnose carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning during the emergency response efforts may lead to poor pre-hospital decisions, including failure to transport, failure to transport to an appropriate facility, failure to properly treat and failure of the emergency department to diagnose. The consequence of misdiagnosis can often result in returning the patient to a poisoned environment, possibly leading to a fatal outcome. Recognizing that CO poisoning — the most common form of poisoning in the United States — is notoriously difficult to detect, NAEMSE said improved screening and implementation of proper carbon monoxide EMS training programs "can no doubt lead to improved outcomes for patients and potentially save many lives."
Too often, even the most skilled first responders can miss the chance to treat carbon monoxide poisoning early because until now there hasn't been a fast, accurate and noninvasive way to detect elevated levels of CO in the blood. However, with the Masimo Rainbow SET Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter, EMS professionals can easily detect carbon monoxide poisoning on the spot in just seconds with the push of a button, allowing for prompt and possibly life-saving treatment. In addition, Rad-57 can also limit the likelihood of long-term cardiac and neurological damage that can result from non-fatal exposures.
"We see first hand the overwhelming and immediate need for carbon monoxide screening during the first response stage and the importance of standardized carbon monoxide training protocols for EMS professionals as a matter of public safety," said NAEMSE President Angel Burba.
NAEMSE will soon have a new online training program available to all its members, free of charge, on their website http://www.naemse.org. The program — consisting of four carbon monoxide modules developed by Dr. Bryan Bledsoe and approved by top EMS physicians and professionals — covers the physiological dangers of CO poisoning, its signs and symptoms, as well as noninvasive methods for on-scene detection of CO in the blood. The modules include downloadable student workbooks, instructor manuals and PowerPoint slides for classroom presentation. Dr. Bryan Bledsoe is an emergency physician, highly regarded as one of the premier educators in the EMS field, and the leading author of numerous EMS textbooks.
Joe E. Kiani, Chairman and CEO of Masimo stated, "NAEMSE's recommendations for proper EMS training and field screening of carbon monoxide poisoning represents an important milestone in the establishment of new protocols for emergency responsiveness and improved public safety. If implemented nationwide, these recommendations will help reduce morbidity and mortality from unsuspected cases of carbon monoxide poisoning."
About Masimo
Masimo develops innovative monitoring technologies that significantly improve patient care -- helping solve "unsolvable" problems. In 1995, the company debuted Read-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, known as Masimo SET, and with it virtually eliminated false alarms and increased pulse oximetry's ability to detect life-threatening events. More than 100 independent and objective studies have confirmed that Masimo SET technology allows clinicians to accurately monitor blood oxygen saturation in critical care situations. Our Masimo SET platform has significantly addressed many of the previous technology limitations, has substantially contributed to improved patient outcomes and has been referred to by several industry sources as the gold standard in pulse oximetry. In 2005, Masimo introduced Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry, which, for the first time, noninvasively monitors the level of carbon monoxide and methemoglobin in the blood, allowing early detection and treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions. Founded in 1989, Masimo has the mission of "Improving Patient Outcomes and Reducing Cost of Care by Taking Noninvasive Monitoring to New Sites and Applications." Additional information about Masimo and its products may be found at http://www.masimo.com.
