title: Management of drug overdoses in accident and emergency departments in the United Kingdom.
abstract: A questionnaire consisting of 10 overdose scenarios was sent to 190 career accident and emergency staff in the United Kingdom, asking in each case how the respondents would treat a patient to prevent drug absorption. The responses showed lack of consensus in treatment methods. There was extensive use of both ipecacuanha induced emesis and gastric lavage despite a lack of experimental evidence to support these techniques.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, Hull Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goodacre
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grout
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000628:therapy*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D002606:Charcoal; D007486:Ipecac