| Author/Editor | Poplas-Susič, Tonka; Komericki-Gržinic, Marija; Klemenc-Ketis, Zalika; Tušek-Bunc, Ksenija; Zelko, Erika; Kersnik, Janko | |
| Title | Aetiological and demographical characteristics of acute poisoning in the Celje region, Slovenia | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Eur J Emerg Med | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 16, št. 3 | |
| Publication year | 2009 | |
| Volume | str. 127-30 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | Background: Data on emergency treatment of poisonings are scarce. Objective: To determine the annual rate of poisoning-related emergency medical services (EMS) interventions and to determine the aetiology and demographic characteristics of poisoning cases. Methods: A prospective observational study included all poisoning-related intervention cases over 3 years (1999-2001) in the Celje region, Slovenia, covering 125 000 inhabitants. Data were recorded on an EMS form. Results: Two hundred and forty-four poisoning-related EMS interventions were recorded among a total of 4486 interventions (5.4%) corresponding to an average annual rate of 0.56 poisonings per 1000 inhabitants per year. Psychoactive agents were detected in 56.5% of the cases. Two-thirds of the poisonings took place outside patients' home. In 30% of the cases, the administration of poison was because of suicidal intentions. The most common substance ingested was alcohol alone or in combination with prescription or illegal drugs in 42.6% of cases, followed by drugs alone or in combination with alcohol in 39.2% cases. More than one-fifth of the poisonings were because of the use of illegal drugs. At the time of the arrival of EMS 23.5% of the patients were in coma. EMS applied antidote in 23.2% of the patients. After emergency care, 9.3% of the patients were still in coma, 15.6% were comatose, 26.6% were somnolent, 18.6% were disoriented and 30% had complete consciousness. Of these, 84.4% of the patients were admitted to hospital or specialized care and 15.6% were sent back home. Conclusions: The pattern of poisoning is contrasted with that in other countries. The EMS proved to be a valuable resource for treatment of acute poisoning. | |
| Descriptors | POISONING EMERGENCIES PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ALCOHOLIC INTOXICATION STREET DRUGS SUICIDE POISON CONTROL CENTERS PROSPECTIVE STUDIES |