The solution to the new NICE Guidelines

An affordable, hygienic way for PCTs to implement routine CO testing for expectant mothers

The new NICE guidelines for quitting smoking in pregnancy and following childbirth hit the headlines this week, amid fierce controversy from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

The guidelines recommend routine carbon monoxide testing for all expectant mothers. Whilst nobody disagrees with the health benefits for both mother and baby of giving up smoking, concerns have been raised about the cost of equipping all midwives and other relevant medical professionals with CO monitors, and about the potential infection control issues that could arise. But Bedfont Scientific Ltd, based in Rochester in Kent, has an affordable and hygienic solution: The Smokerlyzer range of handheld CO monitors includes models to suit all budgets. As well as being cost-effective, each monitor addresses the issue of infection control with single-use, disposable Flatpak™ mouthpieces. The mouthpieces are attached to the monitor with a breath sampling D-piece, proven to trap at least 99.9% of airborne bacteria.

Concerns have also been raised about making pregnant women who smoke feel guilty, and that expectant mothers who have elevated levels of CO, but do not smoke, may be accused of doing so.

Firstly, Smokerlyzer monitors are designed to make people feel motivated; not guilty. It is well publicised that most people who smoke want to quit, and this could not be more true of pregnant women. NICE guidelines recommend that all midwives who deliver intensive stop-smoking interventions are trained to the same standard as NHS stop-smoking advisers, and that test results are dealt with in a non-judgemental way.

Smokerlyzer monitors simply provide an accurate reading of the amount of carbon monoxide in a mother’s system. One model, the babyCOmpact, is specifically designed for use with pregnant women. A chart is also available to show the potential effects on the baby, based on the breath CO level, if the woman continues to smoke. One model, the Micro+, is so advanced that it can convert the mother’s breath CO level to the amount of resultant carboxyhaemoglobin in the baby’s blood, at the touch of a button.

Secondly, expectant mothers who do not smoke need not fear. CO testing can be used to quickly and easily screen non-smoking patients for CO poisoning. Elevated CO levels may occur as a result of faulty gas appliances such as boilers, or simply by living or working in an area where traffic pollution is high. CO poisoning can easily go diagnosed, but it can be fatal. Routine CO monitoring in maternal appointments means that it will no longer go undetected.

Bedfont wants to make implementing the new NICE guidelines as painless as possible for PCTs. They are easing the pressure with money-saving offers, and Bedfont representatives are happy to provide on-site demonstrations of how to use Smokerlyzer monitors.

For further information, contact bedfont on 01622 851122 or email ask@bedfont.com