Introduction: For poisoned patients, ambulance services may be the first point of contact for medical attention. With limited training in toxicology, ambulance services are encouraged to contact the Poisons Information Centre (PIC) for advice. This study aims to characterise referrals to a PIC from a state ambulance service with the purpose of improving information delivery and efficient use of these services.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational series of referrals to an Australian state PIC from ambulance staff from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. Referrals were identified through the PIC Pharmhos database where the call originated from either a paramedic or emergency dispatch officer. Call reports were reviewed to extract data on patient demographics, exposure details and advice provided by the PIC.
Results: There were 1537 calls regarding 1420 poisoning exposures over the 12-month period, with 117 (7.6%) follow-up calls, representing 4.1% (1537/37835) of total calls to the PIC. Initial calls originated from paramedics in 999/1420 (70.4%) referrals, with dispatch officers referring 421/1420 (29.6%). Paediatric patients aged <15 years were involved in 492/1420 (34.6%) exposures with the commonest age range being 1-4 years. Most referrals involved pharmaceuticals exposures (756/1420 [53.2%]) followed by chemicals (557/1420 [39.2%]) and drugs of abuse (69/1420 [4.9%]). The commonest agents involved were paracetamol followed by quetiapine and sertraline. The PIC advised no treatment following benign exposures in 617/1420 (43.5%) calls, first aid measures in 333/1420 (23.5%) calls, supportive measures in 339/1420 (23.9%) calls and specific treatment in 32/1420 (2.3%) calls. Referral to the hospital was advised in 761/1420 (53.6%) calls, the majority of these were following deliberate self-poisonings (428/1420 [30.1%]).
Conclusions: Ambulance staff commonly contact the PIC following benign exposures where no treatment is required. Ambulance referral to a PIC following suspected poisonings may have a role in preventing unnecessary transfer to hospital in poisoned patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2022.2131567 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Progression from outpatient referral to spinal surgery in an Australian cohort with degenerative spinal disease.
J Clin Neurosci
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
Background: Degenerative spine disease (DSD) encompasses a range of conditions with increasing prevalence and a significant burden of disease. Patients with DSD are often referred to a neurosurgery clinic with lengthy waiting times from referral to consultation. The reported proportion of referred patients who undergo spinal surgery varies from 20.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAustralian Naturopaths Approach to the Clinical Management of Patients Presenting with Sleep Disorders.
J Integr Complement Med
January 2025
Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Naturopathic practitioners consult an estimated 6.2% of Australian adults, equating to 1,550,000 people receiving their care each year. Sleep is now recognized as a key pillar of health; however, nearly half of all Australian adults report inadequate sleep.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImproved Uptake of Vaccinations in Children With Adverse Events Following Immunization After Specialist Immunization Service Intervention in an Australian Pediatric Hospital.
Pediatr Infect Dis J
January 2025
From the Children's Health Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Background: Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) have significant implications for public health, potentially leading to decreased immunization rates and vaccine hesitancy. Understanding the characteristics and outcomes of children experiencing AEFI is crucial for effective intervention strategies and informed decision-making. This study aimed to describe the diverse range of AEFI presentations, identify common referral sources and assess factors influencing vaccination uptake following specialist consultation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Association Between Delaying Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescents and Increasing Meniscal and Chondral Pathology: A Cohort Study of 2740 Adolescents.
Am J Sports Med
January 2025
North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.
Background: A growing body of evidence surrounds secondary meniscal and cartilage pathology after delay to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Many of these studies focus on or include an adult population.
Purpose: To elucidate the prevalence of secondary meniscal and chondral pathology with delay to ACLR in the adolescent population as well as examine the influence of sex, skeletal maturity, and trends over the years.
Paramedic assessment of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment: a scoping review protocol.
JBI Evid Synth
January 2025
Uni SA Clinical and Health Sciences, Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Objective: The objective of this review is to develop a comprehensive collection of information about the current processes for paramedics assessing and referring suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment.
Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 are frequently encountered by paramedics and ambulance service clinicians. Increased demand on ambulance services has resulted in many of these services developing alternative referral pathways to avoid unnecessary conveyance to emergency departments.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!