Citation

Sut N, Memis D. Clin. Toxicol. (Phila) 2008; 46(5): 457-460.

Affiliation

Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne, Turkey. necdetsut@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15563650701644295

PMID

18568802

Abstract

AIM: To examine the costs of acute poisoning patients admitted to an intensive care unit. METHODS: Retrospective review of intensive care unit records of patients admitted for treatment of acute poisoning from January 1, 2002 to September 30, 2006. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 94 patients and 18.1% of them died in the intensive care unit. The 62 suicidal cases were significantly younger than the accidental cases (p = 0.006). The average cost per intensive care unit stay was US $821 +/- 1149 (US $711 +/- 695 for suicidal and US $1,036 +/- 1,713 for accidental cases). CONCLUSIONS: Poisoned patients admitted to an intensive care unit represent a considerable cost for the health care system in Turkey.

Language: en