title: Impact of a working group on gastrointestinal decontamination in Spanish emergency departments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the actions carried out by the Intoxications Working Group (IWG) of Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies in the management of acute pediatric intoxications in Spain, specifically the publishing of a Handbook in 2004 or the creation of the Toxicologic Surveillance System in 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gastrointestinal decontamination procedures were analyzed in three periods of time in Pediatric Emergency Departments (PEDs) included in the IWG: group A (2001-2002, 17 PED, 2157 episodes), group B (2008-2009, 22 PED, 612 episodes), and group C (2009-2011, 42 PED, 400 episodes). These periods were chosen because the main actions of the IWG were developed in the time in-between them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 3169 episodes included, a gastrointestinal decontamination procedure was performed in 1031. The use of ipecac syrup decreased from 22.8% in group A to 0 in group C and the performance of a gastric lavage decreased from 29.1% in group A to 26% in group C (NS), although on splitting yearly patients of group C, it decreased to 14.7% in 2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations developed and spread by a Working Group have approached the management of acute pediatric intoxications in Spain to international guidelines on the basis of scientific evidence.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Pediatrics, Rio Hortega Teaching Hospital, Valladolid bDepartment of Pediatrics, Clinical Complex of Navarra, Pamplona cPediatric Emergencies Department, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salmón
authors.forename: Yordana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Acedo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Arco
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azcunaga
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mintegi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010372:Pediatrics; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007486:Ipecac