title: A prospective observational study on different poisoning cases and their outcomes in a tertiary care hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Poisonings and snake bites constitute major health-care problems worldwide. This observational study was conducted to identify factors associated with outcomes in such cases and to suggest strategies to improve them.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study conducted in the emergency medicine department of a tertiary care hospital. The study included 102 poisoning and 64 snake bite cases. Data regarding demographics, mode of poisoning, lag time in treatment, first aid, outside and indoor treatment, co-morbid illness, duration of hospitalisation and final outcome were collected in a prestructured proforma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age of the patients ranged from 11 to 68 years and incidence was more common among males (69.9%) compared to females (30.1%). The major types of poisonings included organophosphorus compounds (16.3%), aluminium phosphide (12%), drug overdose (10.8%) and corrosives (6%). There were 18 (18.6%) and 1 (1.6%) deaths in poisoning and snake bite cases, respectively. In poisoning cases, the duration of hospitalisation was significantly decreased if patient received outside treatment (p = 0.02) and if he or she had lesser lag time in reaching the hospital (p = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures to reduce lag time and provide immediate treatment at initial encounter may be effective in reducing duration of hospitalisation and possibly mortality in poisoning and snake bite cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Niti
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Nusrat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shafiq
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Promila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pandhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malhotra
keywords: Poisoning; antidote; drug overdose; organophosphorus; oxime; snake bite