- Author
- Pollok, A. J. P.
- Title
- Smoke Inhalation: Clinical and Laboratory Studies.
- Coporate
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary, England
- Journal
- Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 10, No. 2, 155-159, March 1986
- Keywords
- smoke inhalation | therapy
- Abstract
- The increasing importance of smoke inhalational damage to the lungs has of recent years become clear to clinicians involved in the management of fire victims. Earlier identification of those patients at risk is essential so that apropriate therapy can be instituted, and it is now clear that close co-operation with the Fire Service is invaluable when detailing the case history of victims at the time of hospital admission. To this end a pre-printed questionnaire type of case-sheet has been prepared to aid the clinician. In addition to a thorough clinical examintion and continuing close observation in an intensive care unit, laboratory assay of the carboxyhaemoglobin level has been shown to be of assistance in the confirmation of the diagnosis. The present studies in Glasgow Royal Infirmary have also demonstrated the close correlation between the 'corrected' carboxyhaemoglobin level and the presence of cyanide in the patient's blood. A large cohort of fire survivors is currently being followed up to identify any significant residual pulmonary damage.