Q:
Dear Your ER Doc:
I have seen you write about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning before. I recently read an article where victim’s were taken to a hospital that had specialized facilities for treating this condition. Can you explain what these are and if they are common at most hospitals?
A:
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is usually treated by high-flow (100%) oxygen. All hospitals have the capability for administering oxygen to patients who have been exposed to carbon monoxide. Occasionally, severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are treated in Hyperbaric chambers.
Patients can be placed in these chambers where they can breath oxygen that is at higher than atmospheric pressure. Most hospitals do not have hyperbaric chambers, but patients may be transferred to a hyperbaric center if necessary.
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In CO or CO2 poisoning, the CO or CO2 binds tightly to the hemoglobin. Does this poisoning fix itself over time, and getting the patient away from CO/CO2? Or is a trip to the ER required? Or perhaps it depends on the severity of poisoning?
I’ve been poisoned at least twice and simply got some fresh air until I felt better. It seemed to fix itself over the next day or 2.
we use hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) extensively in long-term wound care for animals – especially when we are letting something heal with surgical debridement and second intention. i never thought of it as a treatment for CO.
HBOT for wounds is done in people quite a bit as well. A few smallish studies show quite a bit of benefit.
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