Abstract
Background:
A quick and cost-efficient way to monitor carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in the blood is vital to providing the best patient care to patients who may have carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The purpose of this experiment was to compare noninvasive pulse COHb measurements (NIpCO) to blood analyzed through a co-oximeter (Co-ox).
Methods:
After receiving IRB approval, a random selection of ED patients who had arterial blood gases ordered by the physician were included. A finger probe from a NIpCO was placed on the patient’s finger at the time of the arterial puncture for an ABG. The value from the NIpCO was recorded and compared to the COHb value from the Co-ox. A Pearson’s r correlation was used to analyze the data to determine if there was a correlation between the two measurements.
Results:
Fourteen patients were included in the sample to gather data for this project. A Pearson’s r correlation was performed on the results giving an r value of 0.48. This value gives a positive but weak correlation between the Co-ox and the NIpCO values. Looking at differences between the Co-ox and the NIpCO, several comparisons were > 4% (6 vs 0; 5 vs 1; 4.6 vs 0; 7.3 vs 2)
Co-ox versus NIpCO / Difference
Co-ox
NIpCO
Difference
1.8
0.44
1.36
6.8
5
1.8
7
4
3
6
0
6
6.3
7
-0.7
4.5
2
2.5
3.6
0
3.6
5
1
4
3.8
1
2.8
2.9
4
-1.1
4.6
0
4.6
3.2
0
3.2
3.6
2
1.6
7.3
2
5.3
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