New MD Diagnostics Carbon Monoxide Monitors now available
Numed Healthcare are delighted to announce that we have now added a range of carbon monoxide (CO) monitors from MD Diagnostics.
MD Diagnostics have developed a range of handheld CO monitors to support healthcare professionals to carry out reliable and accurate breath tests in a range of clinical situations.
CO monitoring is a valuable motivational tool for smokers to encourage them to stop smoking and research shows that smokers are more likely to make a successful quit attempt if a CO monitor is used as part of their plan.
All MD Diagnostics CO monitors are compatible with their Safebreath mouthpieces, which are designed to achieve maximum hygiene results without the need for additional adaptors and the minimal use of plastics. The filters have been independently tested and have a proven bacterial and viral efficacy >99% * ensuring optimal patient infection prevention and minimal cross contamination.
In support of this launch, MD Diagnostics have answered a range of frequently asked questions about CO monitoring and the monitors they have available:
What is a CO breath test?
A CO breath test showshow much carbon monoxide – a poisonous gas is in a person’s body. Carbon monoxide from smoking reduces the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. A single breath will instantly display results in CO part per million (PPM) or % Carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) – the amount of carbon monoxide attached to a person’s red blood cells represented as a percentage.
How does smoking elevate COHb?
In a typical puff of a cigarette smoke there is about 5% CO by volume. Carbon monoxide actively competes with oxygen to bind to the red blood cells in the blood stream. (carbon monoxide has approximately 250 times greater affinity to haemoglobin in red blood cells than oxygen) when carbon monoxide binds with the red blood cells it forms carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb)). This will eventually be excreted via the lungs; the same way it went into the body.
How quickly does the CO disappear from the body after smoking stops?
It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours to reduce the original level of carbon monoxide by half. Usually after a maximum period of 48 hours the ex-smoker would show the level of a non-smoker living in the same environment.
How long after a cigarette should the test by conducted?
Ideally more than 10 minutes should elapse between exhaling into the monitor and when the last cigarette was smoked.
How hygienic is a CO breath test using an MD Diagnostic CO monitor?
MD Diagnostics recommend the use of SafeBreath filtered cardboard mouthpieces. SafeBreath mouthpieces have an in-built bacterial and viral filter ensuring >99% efficacy. This results in complete hygienic solution and avoids cross contamination between individuals being tested and protects both patients and equipment. SafeBreath mouthpieces are single patient use and should be disposed of after the individual has been tested on the CO breath monitor.
What else does breath CO show?
It acts as an indicator as to the possible level of some 4000 toxic substances in cigarette smoke, some 60 of which cause cancer.
To find out more information about the range of CO monitors that we have available, please visit our dedicated Carbon Monoxide Monitoring section. Find out more about Carbon Monoxide breath guide charts for more information on Carbon Monoxide (CO) breathing monitors and readings.
If you have any further questions then please contact our sales team on 0114 243 3896 or email: sales@numed.co.uk
