Identifying delays in Diagnosis of Carbon Monoxide in the Emergency Department (EDCO-D)

Research summary

Study Aim To investigate how often diagnostic delays or errors of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning happen in Emergency Departments (EDs) in UK. Background Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common but often overlooked medical emergency. CO poisoning occurs when people are exposed to this odourless and invisible gas, often produced by faulty heaters, car engines, or other fuel-burning appliances. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or nausea can be confused with other illnesses, making diagnosis difficult. If not recognised quickly, CO poisoning can lead to serious long-term health issues or even death. Previous work has shown that UK doctors do not consider CO as a cause for symptoms that could indicate exposure. The EDCO-D project aims to expand on this work to find out if delays and errors in diagnosing CO poisoning are a frequent issue in emergency departments (EDs). Key assumptions: • Cases of CO poisoning could be missed because symptoms overlap with other conditions. • Patients may be discharged home without diagnosis, increasing their risk of re-exposure. • There is a lack of awareness among healthcare providers about recognising CO poisoning. Design and methods We will work with multiple EDs across the UK to look at hospital records of patients who attended ED between January 2023 and December 2024 to see if any have raised CO levels in their blood. We will look at the clinical details of these patients to see if any may have been exposed to CO and if this was documented by doctors or nurses. This will give an understanding of the ‘missed’ rates for CO poisoning. Dissemination This research will lead to further projects aiming to improve awareness among doctors and nurses about the dangers of CO exposure, leading to fewer cases of missed or delayed diagnoses and reduced long-term health problems for patients.

Principal Investigator

Tinelly Sambo

Contact us

Email: emergency.research@oxnet.nhs.uk

IRAS number

359188