Citation

Veale DJ, Wium CA, Müller GJ. S. Afr. Med. J. 2013; 103(5): 298-303.

Affiliation

Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Parow, Cape Town. djhveale@gmail.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, South African Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23971118

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Initial management of acute poisoning in South African (SA) hospitals such as gastric decontamination and use of antidotes has not been evaluated relevant to current international guidelines. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to conduct a toxicovigilance survey of SA hospital admissions to assess the spectrum of acute poisonings, current practices in gastric decontamination, and use of antidotes in the management of acute poisoning. METHODS: A survey was undertaken based on acute poisoning admissions to Tygerberg Academic Hospital (TAH) as well as hospital-based poisoning consultations with the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre (TPIC) over 1 year to investigate trends in admissions and the initial management of hospital admissions for acute poisoning. TAH admission details and TPIC consultation forms for hospital-based cases were analysed for patient demographics, causes of poisoning, gastric decontamination measures and use of antidotes. RESULTS: There were 662 admissions to TAH and 2 459 hospital-based TPIC consultations. Paracetamol and cholinesterase inhibitors were the most common exposures in both studies. Gastric decontamination measures were employed at TAH in 47.7% of cases and in 5.3% of hospital cases reported to the TPIC. Of these, 67.4% in the TAH study and 26.1% in the TPIC study did not comply with international guidelines. N-acetylcysteine was administered inappropriately in 22.1% of the paracetamol poisoning cases at TAH and in 1.6% in the TPIC study. Atropine was administered unnecessarily in 12 of 30 TPIC cases. CONCLUSION: This study has identified the need for directed training on gastric decontamination measures and use of antidotes and, combined with the previous study, has identified national trends in poisoning.

Language: en