In the Lab: Device Could Help Doctors and Smokers

NY Times ^ | November 6, 2007 | ERIC NAGOURNEY

[neverdem]

If doctors want to know if their patients smoke, they can always just ask. But researchers say there may be a better way to determine a patient’s smoking status — and at the same time provide a powerful incentive to quit.

Using a simple device that lets doctors know how much carbon monoxide is in the blood, doctors can often pick out the smokers, a new study says. And they can then tell the patients much of their blood at that very moment is unable to carry oxygen.

One of the researchers, Dr. Sridhar P. Reddy of St. Clair Pulmonary and Critical Care in Michigan, said an alarm went off on the device in his office when it detected carbon monoxide over a certain level — and it did not go unnoticed by patients.

“It typically goes off at 10 percent,” said Dr. Reddy, a pulmonologist. “They’re wondering, Why the bells and whistles?” He tells them that a tenth of their blood is for all practical purposes not available to them.

The study was presented at a recent conference of the American College of Chest Physicians. The presentation was made by Dr. Reddy’s son, Ashray, a high school student who began the study as a science project.

The advantage of using the device, a pulse co-oximeter, is that it is quick and noninvasive, the Reddys said. It clips onto the fingernail.

Smoking is not the only thing that causes high carbon monoxide levels. One patient, Dr. Reddy said, was found to have an exhaust leak in his pickup truck; another had a problem with his home heating system...

[Rudder]

A patient hobbled into my office on two broken heels. I asked him what led to his suicide attempt. He was astounded that his "secret" had been so obvious.

Now I can spend a few grand to tell a patient he is a smoker. Once word gets around patients will think I'm a seer.

[RandallFlagg]

PING!
Tricorders that detect smokers.
Where’s the phasers?

[cmsgop]

As of today I am 11 days Smoke Free. Thank You Chantix™

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Wouldn't people who barbecue or grill a lot and people who work in a smoker/smokehouse also register as having higher than normal levels of CO in their blood?

And why not just ask? It would be easier, and there shouldn't be such a stigma against smoking that smokers are embarrassed to acknowledge it. It isn't good for you, but neither is eating a lot of potato chips. Yet many people wouldn't be too embarrassed to state that they eat lots of potato chips.

[boop]

But I spend lots of time locked in my garage with the car running. Won’t this unfairly label me as a smoker?

[Eastbound]

I use an pulse/oximeter. In today's atmospheres, best everyone get one. When the skies look like this in your neighborhood, check your oxygen level and stay inside if you can. Especially the old folks and infants and small children.

[Rudder]

But I spend lots of time locked in my garage with the car running. Won’t this unfairly label me as a smoker?

Yeah, a dead smoker. Life is unfair.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Going to a doctor can be damaging to your health!
Going to several around the same time is really bad!

[Eastbound]

Prices range from thousands of dollars to fifty dollars. Here's one for $69.00. My local clinic uses one like this. They don't have to cost mint. I bought one like this.

http://www.portablenebs.com/tripleoximeter.htm

[red-dawg]

Why don't they just smell their clothes?
I quit three years ago and can smell a smoker 20 feet away.
I still like the smell too.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

If doctors want to know if their patients smoke, they can always just ask.

But why do it the civilized way when we can just do it the big-brotherish kinda way???

[hole_n_one]

As of today I am 11 days Smoke Free.

[Sunnyflorida]

“But I spend lots of time locked in my garage with the car running”

First ghost posting on FReeper. LOL

[Sunnyflorida]

“But I spend lots of time locked in my garage with the car running. Won’t this unfairly label me as a smoker?
Yeah, a dead smoker. Life is unfair.”

LMAO!