Pre-hospital management and outcome of acute poisonings by ambulances in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
BACKGROUND
Large, prospective pre-hospital studies of acute poisonings are scarce. We present the epidemiology of the pre-hospital poisonings, the treatment given, the complications of the poisoning itself and the treatment, predictors for hospitalization, and the safety of the present approach in a large industrial Russian city.


METHODS
Data were collected from March 2009 to March 2010. All adult (≥ 16 years) acute poisonings in the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia were included. The prospective cohort inclusion of data included age, gender, simple clinical features (including consciousness, respiratory status, circulatory status, convulsions, etc.), main toxic agent, reason why poisoning was suspected, treatment given, and outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with hospitalization of the patients.


RESULTS
In total, 1795/2536 patients (71%) were brought to hospitals, 736/2536 (29%) were discharged by the ambulance, and 5/2536 (0.2%) died on scene. The most frequent main agents were opioids (25%), ethanol (9%), benzodiazepines (8%), corrosive substances (7%), carbon monoxide (5%), and neuroleptics (5%). Pre-hospital treatment was given to 73% of patients; 3% were intubated, and antidotes were given in 27% (naloxone 24%, atropine 2%, and flumazenil 0.2%). Gastric lavage was performed in 34%, but only 20% within the first hour after ingestion; 49% had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)< 15, but only 6% of them were intubated in the ambulance. Activated charcoal was given to two patients, both with a GCS = 15. A suicidal behavior was the strongest predictor for hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals current practice differing from the common treatment practice in most places, especially concerning the use of gastric lavage. Whether the current practice led to an increased morbidity and mortality is uncertain, but it justifies the need for thorough evaluation of clinical practice. These findings highlight the importance of studies like the present to improve diagnostics, triage, and treatment in acute poisonings.
Department of Toxicology, Ural State Medical Academy , Yekaterinburg , Russia.
Yulia V
YV
Krayeva
Konstantin M
KM
Brusin
Alexander V
AV
Bushuev
Dmitriy L
DL
Kondrashov
Valentin G
VG
Sentsov
Knut Erik
KE
Hovda
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000552:Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000931:Antidotes