[Development of an informatic model for monitoring and clinical and epidemiological evaluation of acute intoxication in Emergency Departments in Italy].

Data collection at Emergency Departments (ED), especially with regard to toxicological aspects, is usually incomplete; they further deteriorate following the recent diffusion of data processing and retrieval systems, possibly different from region to region. The present paper deals with the setting of a computer program, specific for toxicological patients, easy to access from the general data collection system.

Retention of CPR performance in anaesthetists.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study was to evaluate retention of ALS knowledge and performance among anaesthesiologists, who, in Italy, respond to in-hospital emergencies as team leaders.

Methods: 47 anaesthesiologists (23 consultants and 24 residents) were invited at one weeks notice to attend a re-evaluation session, 6 months after successful completion of an ERC ALS course. Knowledge retention was assessed by a multiple choice question test, and skills and management by evaluation of performance as team leader in one of the six standardized CAStest scenarios.

High levels of morphine-6-glucuronide in street heroin addicts.

Rationale: In the body, heroin is rapidly transformed to 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) and then to morphine, that in turn is mainly metabolized to morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and, at lesser extent, to morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). Unlike M3G, M6G is a potent opioid agonist. Intravenous heroin abusers (IHU) are exposed to a wide array of drugs and contaminants that might affect glucuronidation.