Study of coma due to acute poisoning in an intensive care unit: a protocol for management

The study entailed all comatosed patients with diagnosis of acute poisoning [n = 102] admitted to the intensive care unit [ICU] of the Emergency Department at Alexandria Main University Hospital during the year 1987. They constituted 17.5% of the total emergency medical admissions to the ICU Males outnumbered females with a sex ratio of 1.2: 1. The highest propotion of patients [43.1%] was in the age group 15-25 years. Attempted suicide by self poisoning was responsible for 63.7% of the total comatosed acutely poisoned patients while accidental poisoning constituted 28.4%. Insecticides and drugs were the leading causes of come due to acute poisoning [39.2% and 37.2%, respectively]. Severe alcoholic intoxication and heroin overdosage were reported in 3.9% each poisoning by gases constituted 15.8%. Patients in come grade 2 constituted 39.2% while those in grade 3 and 4 constituted 60.8%. A standardized protocol manual was suggested for management of comatosed patients with acute poisoning comatosed patients with acute poisoning

efficacy of syrup of IPECAC as an emetic used by Alexandria Poison Center

The safety and effectiveness associated with the use of syrup of Ipecac in patients with acute poisoning has been well established. A study was carried out on 1811 conscious patients admitted to Alexandria poison center with diagnosis of [acute poisoning]. All patients were given a standard initial dose of syrup of Ipecac of 30 ml for adults and 15 ml for children. The study showed that syrup of Ipecac was effective in inducing emesis within 30 min in the majority of patients [98.4%] with a mean of 11.71 +/- 3.97 minutes. No complications at all happened to patients after its administration. The use of Syrup of Ipecac in the emergency departments of all hospitals dealing with the treatment of acute poisoning is highly recommended