Citation

Buchanan WJ. N. Zeal. Med. J. 1991; 104(923): 470-472.

Affiliation

Department of Anaesthetics, Christchurch Hospital.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, New Zealand Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1945173

Abstract

OBJECTS: a descriptive study to determine the pattern and resource usage of intentional self poisonings presenting to an urban emergency department. METHODS: all intentional self poisonings presenting to the sole emergency department in Christchurch during 1989 were reviewed. RESULTS: the 531 self poisonings represented 1% of attendances with peak demand on emergency services during the evenings. Sixty-four percent were admitted accounting for 16.5% of ICU admissions and 8.5% of acute medical admissions with a mean hospital stay of two days. Only 5% of patients suffered complications, despite the potential seriousness of many events, with an overall mortality rate of 0.5%. The self poisoning rate in Christchurch is currently 20 per 10,000 population. The most frequently involved drugs were benzodiazepines (23%), tricyclic antidepressants (16%) and paracetamol (11%). There were no barbiturate poisonings and no deaths due to tricyclic antidepressants despite their prevalence amongst admissions. All beta blocker poisonings required ICU admission and one death resulted. CONCLUSIONS: self poisoning is an activity associated with a low morbidity and mortality that remains a resource consuming problem, even in postbarbiturate times. It is infrequently seen acutely by general practitioners however it is a condition that needs greater awareness as prescribed drugs are usually involved. The tricyclic antidepressants and the beta blockers are of relatively greater importance in utilising ICU services.

Language: en