Fla. fire-rescue now uses device to determine carbon monoxide exposure

By Nicole T. Lesson
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

MIRAMAR, Fla. — Miramar Fire-Rescue can now check how much carbon monoxide is in a patient or firefighter's blood stream at an emergency scene.

The handheld devices, the Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter, are used as part of the standard patient evaluation if someone is possibly exposed to carbon monoxide. That kind of evaluation could only be done in hospitals until recently, said Miramar Fire Battalion Chief Bill Huff.

"In the past, there was no way to identify people exposed to carbon monoxide in the field," he said. "The device helps us identify those patients exposed to carbon monoxide so we can treat them."

The devices are especially handy during hurricane season.

"It's useful for those patients that have been exposed to fumes and exhaust like running generators during power outages as well as fires," Huff said.

Four devices, costing about $12,000, were purchased through the fire department budget, Huff said, and a county grant will reimburse the city for two of them.

Firefighters will also benefit from the new technology.

"Where we will get the most out of these devices is with our own personnel," said Huff. "During fire ground operations, it is a national standard to physically rehabilitate our crews after strenuous exertion, known as emergency worker rehab. We will use these devices to see if the headaches and weakness are associated with carbon monoxide exposure."

Patients who suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning can have flu-like symptoms, such as light headedness, dizziness, severe headaches and cherry red skin. The new device eliminates the risk of misdiagnosing carbon monoxide poisoning as the flu or fatigue.

The sensor is placed on the middle or ring finger and the device continuously measures carbon monoxide and methemoglobin levels in the blood, in addition to oxygen saturation and pulse rate.

Time is of the essence when it comes to carbon monoxide treatment.

"It gets the ball rolling early with specialized care and [we] find out early on if the patient needs more advanced treatment like a hyperbaric chamber," Huff said.