Analyses of intoxication cases: one-year experience of a new hospital

Abstract

Objectives: Poisonings are important causes of emergency department visits. It is especially very common in youths and women. In this study we aimed to define clinical and demographic features of poisoning cases admitted to our hospital.
Materials and Methods: Poisoning cases admitted to emergency department of Ankara Atatürk Hospital between the dates of January 2005 and April 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic features of patients, poisoning agents, aim of intake of poisonous agent, admission times, treatment methods, consultations, durations of emergency department treatment and outcomes were recorded. Data were expressed as Mean ± Standard deviation, median and percentage.
Results: Between these dates, 0.7% of emergency department visits was poisonings. 568 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 28.3±13.2 years. 43% of the patients was male (n=244), 57% was female (n=324). Mean admission time to the hospital was 155.6±103.1 minutes. It was detected that 80.6% of the patients were poisoned with a single agent and 75.2% took the agent orally. The most common poisoning agents are drugs (41.9%, n=238), food products (28.9%, n=164), carbonmonoxide (CO) (21.8%, n=124). 76.2% of the patients were discharged from the hospital, 20.6% were hospitalized and 7.3% were sent to another hospital. One patient died due to CO poisoning in the intensive care unit.
Conclusion: It was seen that poisoning cases are mostly seen in young females, occur with single agent, and clinically require good care.