@article{ref1,
title="Prescribers aware: a cross-sectional study from New Zealand emergency departments on the substances used in intentional self-poisoning and their sources",
journal="Journal of primary health care",
year="2020",
author="Kumpula, Eeva-Katri and Lambie, Bruce and Quigley, Paul and Nada-Raja, Shyamala and Norris, Pauline",
volume="12",
number="3",
pages="235-243",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1172-6164",
doi="10.1071/HC20017",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/HC20017"
}