VOLUNTARY DRUG INTOXICATIONS IN AN EMERGE NCY WARD

Objectives: The aim of this study was to ascertain the specific nature of voluntary drug intoxications seen in emergency wards receiving adu lt patients. Methods: From July 1992 to June 1993, all patients presen ting at the emergency room with voluntary drug intoxication were asses sed retrospectively. There were 727 patients (482 females and 245 male s, mean age 33.3 +/- 12 years, age range 15-92) admitted for 804 episo des of voluntary drug intoxication. Results: A past history of psychia tric problems or drug abuse was found in 42.8 and 9.1% of the patients respectively. The time laps between ingestion and consultation was no ted for 43% (5 h 30 +/- 9 h, range 15-4320 min). The drug ingested was identified in 89% of the cases and 1.7 drugs were ingested per episod e (range 1-8). Generally, only 1 (52%) or 2 (21%) drugs were ingested. Non-barbituric psychotropic agents were ingested in 79.7% of the case s. Alcohol had also been consumed in 36.5% of the cases. Treatment was gastric lavage in 34.4%, activated carbon in 16.7%, flumazenil in 16. 9%, naloxone and N-acetyl-cysteine in 3.4%. Twelve patients required i ntubation. Patients were admitted to a medical (n=156) or psychiatric (n=67) ward or an intensive care unit (n=61). Nearly 25% of the patien ts left hospital either against medical advice or left without notice. Conclusion: Voluntary drug intoxications seen in emergency rooms requ ire care by a well coordinated team of clinicians and psychiatrists.