Citation

Kumpula EK, Lambie B, Quigley P, Nada-Raja S, Norris P. J. Prim. Health Care 2020; 12(3): 235-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners)

DOI

10.1071/HC20017

PMID

32988445

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Intentional self-poisoning or self-harm through poisoning, is a common cause of presentations to emergency departments (EDs). National datasets do not allow identification of the substances most commonly used in hospital-treated intentional self-poisoning in New Zealand, nor do they capture sources of these substances. AIM To investigate the specific substances used in intentional self-poisoning and the sources from which they are obtained.

METHODS In this cross-sectional study, information about the demographics and presentation particulars of intentional self-poisoning patients aged ≥16 years, presenting to three public EDs, as well as the substances they used in the self-poisoning event and the sources of these agents, were collected prospectively.

RESULTS A total of 102 patients were recruited from the potentially eligible 1137 intentional self-poisoning patients presenting to the three EDs during the study period. Seventy per cent used their own prescription medications and 24% used medicines they purchased themselves. Paracetamol and ethanol were most commonly encountered substances. Patients presented a median of 1.9h after exposure (interquartile range 1.0-3.3h), 62% self-referred, 60% presented to the ED in the evening or at night and 66% were triaged into Australasian Triage Scale 3 (to be seen within 30min). Two-thirds were referred to emergency psychiatric services.

DISCUSSION Collecting specific substance information, such as from this study, can assist in planning specific activities to prevent intentional self-poisoning. As most people used their prescribed medicines, the findings can inform and assist doctors in their prescribing practices when they manage patients at risk of self-poisoning.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; New Zealand; Poisoning; Prescription Drugs; Self-Injurious Behavior; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult