Carbon monoxide poisoning in Kentucky.

Fatal and nonfatal cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning continue to be widespread. Hospital discharge data were used to identify cases of CO poisoning in Kentucky during 1998-1999. Additional data collection was conducted through medical record abstraction. Information was collected on 205 cases at 33 Kentucky hospitals. Over half of the CO poisoning cases occurred in residential settings. The most common types of equipment operating at the time of exposure were motor vehicles and gas heating sources. Eighteen percent of the cases required hospitalization. Almost half of the incidents occurred during December, January, and February. Incidents of CO poisoning can be reduced through education and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. Public health professionals and health care professionals should provide education about the sources of CO and the hazards of exposure. Recommendations for prevention are provided.