Incident in Broxbourne: using specialist equipment to test for carbon monoxide

The Trust received a 999 call to a private address in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire on 30th January to a family who had symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and the HART team attended the incident and discovered the family had used a generator to provide power after an earlier failure, and the exhaust had been directed towards the property. The two adults and four children all had dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting and headaches, with differing severity.

Using the HART team’s oximeter, the RAD 57, the clinicians on scene confirmed that all patients had a carboxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin combined with carbon monoxide) reading of between 18 – 35%; the normal level is 1 to 3%.

Following liaison with Whipps Cross Hospital, it was agreed that all patients could be directly transferred to the hyperbaric unit, bypassing A&E.

A hospital technician later updated the Trust that four patients had received treatment in the hyperbaric chamber and had been discharged the next day. He said the decision to request a direct transfer had been “a good call” and prevented a likely secondary hospital transfer.

Steven Moore, Senior Specialist Operations Manager, said: “This is a great example of staff working together on the ground to make the best decision for the patients.

“Please remember that the HART team are not just here for the big jobs; we can support regular incidents which involve hazardous situations or where our equipment can add to the value of patient care.”

Published 9th January 2015