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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) previously monitored Florida Poison Information Center (FPICN) data for timely detection of increases in carbon monoxide (CO) exposures before, during, and after hurricanes. Recent analyses have noted that CO poisonings have also increased with generator use and improper heating of homes during cold winter months in Florida. Similarly, increases in CO poisoning cases related to motor vehicles have been observed during summer months. CO is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas causing sudden illness and death, if present in sufficient concentration in ambient air. The most common signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, lethargy/fatigue, weakness, abdominal discomfort/pain, confusion, and dizziness. 

Objective

This presentation summarizes Florida’s experience in identifying CO poisoning clusters using ESSENCE-based syndromic surveillance.

Referenced File
Submitted by uysz on

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) previously monitored Florida Poison Information Center (FPICN) data for timely detection of increases in carbon monoxide (CO) exposures before, during, and after hurricanes. Recent analyses have noted that CO poisonings have also increased with generator use and improper heating of homes during cold winter months in Florida. Similarly, increases in CO poisoning cases related to motor vehicles have been observed during summer months. CO is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas causing sudden illness and death, if present in sufficient concentration in ambient air. The most common signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, lethargy/fatigue, weakness, abdominal discomfort/pain, confusion, and dizziness. This presentation summarizes Florida’s experience in identifying CO poisoning clusters using ESSENCE-based syndromic surveillance.

Referenced File
Submitted by Magou on

CO poisoning poses a significant public health burden. It is preventable, yet it remains a leading cause of poisoning in the United States. An effective surveillance system is very important for targeting and monitoring CO poisoning.Methods or Description: ED data was analyzed from the Missouri Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE). The ED chief complaints of CO poisoning in ESSENCE contain keywords such as 'carbon' or 'monoxide'. The Missouri Health Strategic Architectures and Information Cooperative (MOHSAIC) database was used to collect the other information about the CO poisoning cases. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) (version 9.3) was applied for all the analyses in this study.

Objective

This study demonstrated the utility and importance of ED data as a surveillance tool as cases of CO poisoning were identified in ESSENCE that were not identified in the passive surveillance system (MOHSAIC). The study also demonstrated the potential of ED data to assist in developing effective, more targeted prevention strategies for CO poisoning.

Submitted by knowledge_repo… on
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