St George’s University Hospital have been successful in their application for a CO Research Trust (CORT) grant to understand whether delays and errors in diagnosing carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are a frequent issue in emergency departments (EDs).
CO exposure is often undiagnosed as the symptoms overlap with other more widely recognised and understood conditions. In emergency care, undiagnosed CO poisonings could have negative consequences on patients’ health, especially if discharged home, potentially increasing their risk of re-exposure.
The European study, a first of its kind, led by Dr Matteo Paganini, Senior Research Fellow in the Emergency Department at St George’s University Hospital, will work with a network of clinicians and researchers working in EDs across the UK and Europe to review hospital records of patients who have attended ED between June 2022 and June 2025 and see if any have raised COHb levels. The team aims to get an understanding of the undiagnosed rates for CO poisoning in European EDs.
Dr Paganini and colleagues expect that this new understanding will lead to further projects aiming to improve awareness of the dangers of CO exposures being undiagnosed by healthcare professionals and therefore more diagnosed cases and fewer long-term health problems for patients.
Gerarda Kendrick, Grants Lead at the CO Research Trust, said:
“We know that the symptoms of CO exposure can be misdiagnosed in an Emergency Department setting, and therefore the real number of CO victims is largely unknown. This study, led by Dr Matteo Paganini, is a welcome investigation that will provide much needed data. Dr Paganini’s goal is also strengthened by investigating not only EDs in the UK but by also looking into other European countries, which will provide a greater awareness of the dangers of CO exposure amongst healthcare professionals.”
Dr Matteo Paganini, Senior Research Fellow at St George’s University Hospital, said:
“Emergency departments are under extreme pressure. As clinicians manage increasingly complex cases and rising demand, there is a risk that conditions with vague or common symptoms may not be diagnosed right away.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is among the hardest diagnoses to make—and it can cause significant harm. By comparing how emergency teams detect and manage CO poisoning across countries, we will strengthen awareness and ultimately improve patient care.”
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
· a headache
· dizziness
· feeling sick or being sick
· feeling weak
· tiredness and confusion
· chest and muscle pain
· shortness of breath
· Your face may feel hot and flushed; in some people, this may be felt more than it is visibly seen.
· loss of vision
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About the CO Research Trust
The CO Research Trust is a registered charity which was established in 2005. The vision of the charity is a world where people are not exposed to carbon monoxide (CO).
For further information contact Kimberly Allen: kimberly@coresearchtrust.org