Masimo’s Noninvasive Sensor Found to be Effective for Detecting Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning can have an insidious presentation (often with flu-like symtpoms), and it is not always caused by smoke exposure – appliances, heaters, fireplaces, and internal-combustion engines can also produce this gas. Unfortunately, it is estimated that half of U.S. hospitals don’t have the equipment needed to do the blood COHb test. If Masimo has its druthers, every patient in the E.D. will be connected to its Rainbow SET of noninvasive sensors, which will show carboxyhemoglobin levels as well as hemoglobin, oxygen content, and a methemoglobin measurement, among others. A new study published in the latest journal Annals of Emergency Medicine shows that Masimo’s noninvasive carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO) measurement device is an “effective means for screening at-risk populations for CO poisoning” with “acceptable bias and precision” compared to invasive blood gas analysis. The study found that using a cut-off SpCO value of 6.6%, they reached a 94% sensitivity (ability to detect CO poisoning) and 77% specificity (ability to identify a lack of CO poisoning). As expected, levels were different between smokers and non-smokers.
Press release: New Published Study Finds Masimo Noninvasive SpCO Effective for Screening Emergency Department Patients for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Product page: Masimo Carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO)