TY  - JOUR
T1  - Analysis of Patients Presenting to Referral Emergency Department with
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Jordan
AU - Raffee, L.A. AU - Alhadidi, K.A. AU - Al-Hamad, R.A. AU - Eldos, Y.T. 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 11
IS  - 4
SP  - 198
EP  - 202
PY  - 2017
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - rjmsci.2017.198.202
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2017.198.202
KW  - Carbon monoxide
KW  -poisoning
KW  -
KW  -emergency
KW  -policies
KW  -education
KW  -Jordan
AB  - Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas produced by incomplete combustion of
carbonaceous material. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed and usually
present a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Treatment options remain controversial and vary among centres
due the limited numbers of definitive clinical studies. The main aim of this study is to examine patients
suspected of having CO gas poisoning, their symptoms and management in the emergency department at
Jordan. In here, a retrospective study that involve two referral teaching hospitals. The analysis is based on data
collected at King Abdullah University Hospital and Jordan University Hospital at the National Poisoning Centre
from January 2003 through May 2013. A total of 221 cases were reported. At the NPC, carbon monoxide gas
exposure was the leading cause of poisoning which accounted for 81.5% of the cases while unknown gases
and unidentified vapours accounted for 18.5% of the toxicities. While the majorities (192 cases) of the
reported cases were unintentional (88%) in the remainder, CO gas poisoning was used as homicidal in males
and was used as a suicidal agent in females. At KAUH, all of the reported cases were unintentional. The
findings demonstrate the incidence of CO poisoning in Jordan. To help lower the incidence of CO gas
poisoning, policies should be structured to allow emergency departments to manage in accordance with
international guidelines. Public education plays a key and significant role. Carbon monoxide poisoning can
potentially be a significant invisible killer.
ER  -