Citation

Kerr HD. Wis. Med. J. 1989; 88(2): 15-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, State Medical Society of Wisconsin)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2929159

Abstract

A retrospective review was made of all patients with the diagnosis of drug ingestion or overdose seen in an urban community hospital over 30 months. There were 133 episodes involving 129 patients. Of these, 104 (78%) were hospitalized, including 96 at the study hospital. Fifty-three patients (55%) were initially admitted to the intensive care unit, and 57 (59%) were cared for in the psychiatry unit at some time during their course. One patient died, and 21 others (15%) suffered adverse consequences, including airway compromise requiring intubation, aspiration, seizures, cardiopulmonary arrest, and significant arrhythmias. The treatment rendered was supportive only, with no patient requiring hemodialysis or hemoperfusion. Multiple drugs were involved in 31% of the overdoses. The most common agents were benzodiazepines (32%), tricyclic antidepressants (24%), and acetaminophen (20%). A history of drug ingestion was obtained in 94% of patients. Based on subsequent drug level and drug screen testing, the history was judged accurate in 71% and inaccurate in 29%. The problems confronting hospitals that care for relatively few overdose patients but in a consistent pattern are discussed.

Language: en