Related Experiment Video For carbon monoxide
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Mass Casualty Triage in the Case of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned
Mathieu Pasquier1, Fabrice Dami1, Pierre-Nicolas Carron1
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Centre (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
ABSTRACTCarbon monoxide (CO) can cause mass intoxication, but no standard triage algorithm specifically addresses CO poisoning. The roles of some recent diagnostic tools in triage as well as treatment with hyperbaric oxygen are controversial. We describe a mass casualty case of CO poisoning involving 77 patients, with a focus on the triage and treatment options decided on-site. The reasons for choosing these options are reviewed, and the pitfalls that occurred and the lessons learned from this major incident are described. We discuss the potential to improve the management of such an event and strategies to accomplish this, including simplifying triage and administering oxygen to all exposed persons for 6 h. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 373-378).
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