Acute poisoning is a common medical emergency in Malaysia. Life can be saved if the patient is diagnosed properly and receives the appropriate treatment such as gastrointestinal decontamination techniques and resources to increase poison elimination according to clinical guidelines at a reasonable time. The aims of this study were to determine the availability of decontamination, elimination en...

INTRODUCTION Given the high morbidity and mortality attributable to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, prevention plays a key role in the management of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. One of the candidate preventive interventions is the selective decontamination of the digestive or respiratory tract (SDRD) by topical antiseptic or antimicrob...

1. Alaspää AO, Kuisma MJ, Hoppu K, et al. Out-of-hospital administration of activated charcoal by emergency medical services. Ann Emerg Med. 2005;45:207-212. 2. Pond SM, Lewis-Driver DJ, Williams GM, et al. Gastric decontamination in acute overdose: a prospective randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 1995;163:345-349. 3. Crockett R, Krishel SJ, Manoguerra A, et al. Prehospital use of activat...

CONTEXT The first update of the 1997 gastric lavage position paper was published by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists in 2004. This second update summarizes the 2004 content and reviews new data. METHODS A systematic review of the literature from January 2003 to March 2011 yielded few studies directly address...

CONTEXT An update of the first position paper on ipecac syrup from 1997 was published by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists in 2004. The aims of this paper are to briefly summarize the content of the 2004 Position Paper and to present any new data. METHODS A systematic review of the literature from the year 200...

The major syndromes of mushroom poisoning can be divided by presentation timing: Early syndromes (symptom onset <6 hrs after ingestion) have little probability to cause organ damage. Epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur in most cases and treatment includes initial gastrointestinal decontamination with oral activated charcoal and fluid rehydration. In addition, an acute gastroint...

Acute intoxication with 2,4-D dimethylamine is rare, often fatal and can cause signs symptoms in different organ systems. This case report describes the effectiveness of alkaline diuresis as a life-saving treatment for chlorophenoxy intoxication, especially healthcare facilities without access to haemodialysis. A patient had attempted suicide by ingesting dimethylamine, toxic effects on central...

OBJECTIVE To review the literature on acute toxic exposure in children, excluding envenomations. SOURCES OF DATA MEDLINE review (emphasis on the past decade), including the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists position statements and position papers (peer-reviewed information based on scientific evidence and broad co...