title: The first line of response for people who self-poison: exploring the options for gut decontamination.
abstract: The trend for increasing numbers of self-poisoning incidents has been noted and a variety of policy initiatives have been launched. Nurses, particularly in emergency room environments occupy a pivotal place in the chain of response to such acts. Any such response needs to be firmly rooted in evidence-based practice yet the initial management of self-poisoning often involves a consideration of procedures, the application of which can vary enormously. This paper offers some contextual information prior to a critical perspective of management modes, namely emesis, lavage, the use of activated charcoal and whole bowel irrigation. A comparison of the relative advantages and disadvantages of each mode precedes suggestions for nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: Overdose Unit, Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clegg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hope
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003663:Decision Trees; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D004639:Emetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005751:Gastric Lavage / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D004639:Emetics; D002606:Charcoal; D007486:Ipecac