Clinical Review: Emergency management of acute poisoning

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorVan Hoving D.J.
dc.contributor.authorVeale D.J.H.
dc.contributor.authorMuller G.F.
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-13T16:58:29Z
dc.date.available2011-10-13T16:58:29Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractAcutely poisoned patients are commonly encountered in Emergency Centres. Acute poisoning (accidental or intentional) requires accurate assessment and prompt therapy. The necessity to prevent cross contamination during the initial evaluation should be emphasized. Early identification of the involved toxin/s is crucial and the majority will be identified by a thorough history and physical examination. An ABC-approach should be followed ensuring a protected airway, adequate ventilation and hemodynamic stability. Supportive and symptomatic care remains the cornerstone of treatment. A stepwise approach may be followed to decrease the bioavailability of toxins. Indications, contra-indications, risks and dosage regimens are describe for decontamination procedures including both termination of topical exposures and decreasing exposure to ingested toxins. Furthermore, procedures to increase the elimination of toxins and a short section covering specific toxins and their antidotes are also included. The aim of this commissioned review was to establish concise guidelines for the initial management of the acutely poisoned patient in the Emergency Centre. The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists are the international leaders in the field of toxicology and the guidelines in their position papers were generally followed. Most of the dosage regimes are according to the South African Medicines Formulary. © 2011 African Federation for Emergency Medicine.
dc.description.versionReview
dc.identifier.citationAfrican Journal for Emergency Medicine
dc.identifier.citation1
dc.identifier.citation2
dc.identifier.citationhttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80053076223&partnerID=40&md5=02acb922052f067f4fa27bfb5246e1b8
dc.identifier.issn2211419X
dc.identifier.other10.1016/j.afjem.2011.07.006
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16740
dc.subjectEmergency management
dc.subjectPoison Information Centre
dc.subjectPoisoning
dc.subjectToxicology
dc.titleClinical Review: Emergency management of acute poisoning
dc.typeReview
Files
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Publications