Results from a state-based surveillance system for carbon monoxide poisoning.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe results from a pilot surveillance system for carbon monoxide poisoning--a significant yet preventable public health issue for which most public health agencies do not conduct routine public health surveillance.


METHODS
The authors developed a rate-based statewide surveillance system. Cases were identified using the 1998 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists' case definition in hospital discharges, emergency department and hospital outpatient visits, and mortality data. Intentional and fire-related injuries were excluded. The system was supplemented with qualitative information from newspaper articles. Annual, age, and sex-specific incidence rates were estimated. Exposure source/setting was described using E-codes; occupational setting was assessed by combining E-codes and payer code. Cases occurring during a disaster-related power outage in January 1998 were compared with cases identified during routine surveillance from 1999 through 2003.


RESULTS
During the five years of routine surveillance, 740 cases were identified; 47 (6.4%) were hospitalized, 442 (59.7%) were seen in an emergency department, and 251 (34.3%) were seen in another outpatient setting. More cases were observed in fall/winter; 23.1% of patients aged 16 or older were classified as exposed in an occupational setting. Among disaster-related cases, more were older (> or =65 years of age; 11.9% vs. 4.2%) and female (61.6% vs. 45.3%); and fewer were in occupational settings (1.8% vs. 23.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Establishing state-based public health surveillance for CO poisoning is feasible and essential for guiding prevention and control efforts. The finding that more than 20% of cases were classified as occupational should be investigated further.
Graber
Judith M
JM
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, 286 Water St., SHS 11, Augusta ME 04333, USA.
Smith
Andrew E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008281:Maine / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D040442:Public Health Informatics; D013219:State Government