Hong Kong Poison Information Centre: Annual Report 2006

Abstract

Objective To report the poisoning data of Hong Kong Poison Information Centre (HKPIC) in 2006. Methods From 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006, all poisoning cases received by HKPIC were retrieved from its database (DATOX) for analysis. Results A total of 2555 poisoned cases were analysed. There were 1051 male and 1466 female patients and nearly 60% of the cases were between 20 and 49 years old. Common causes of exposure were suicidal attempts and accidents. Paracetamol, sedative-hypnotic and household products were common sources of poison exposure. The majority of the patients were managed conservatively, with 18.8% and 10.5% treated by decontamination and antidotes respectively. Most cases had uneventful recovery; less than 1% of the poison exposure resulted in death and about 5% of the exposure had major outcomes. Nearly half of the cases were managed in the accident & emergency department without hospitalisation. Conclusions This annual report provides updated epidemiological information on poisoning in Hong Kong. Subsequent annual reports would provide important information on the trend of poisoning pattern and may guide further strategies in poison control and prevention in Hong Kong.

Providing a Population Based Registry Model of Drug Poisoning in Iran

“…Some of these sources mainly receive clinical and treatment data from hospitals, poisoning clinics, drug and poison information centers, toxicologists, pharmacists, and general practitioners. Some sources also receive data from research centers, toxicology laboratories, the Iran Society of Toxicology, Legal Medicine Organization, and drug prescriptions, thereby comple-menting the information in the national drug poisoning registry (27,38,41,42). These diverse sources are similar in most studies across countries; thus, in the model proposed for Iran, all sources (except for those related to the Iran Society of Toxicology) were deemed necessary.…”

Clinical Toxicology and Overdose of Psychiatric Medications

“…HKPIC also collects important poisoning epidemiological data in Hong Kong from the Hospital Authority. 2 In the HKPIC annual report 2016, nearly 4000 poisoning cases involving approximately 6000 poisons were reported. Approximately 25% of these poisons were psychiatric-related medications including hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, valproic acid, and lithium.…”

Emergency Medicine Ward as a Step down Unit for Selected Poisoned Patients after Intensive Care Unit Management: A Pilot Study

“…1,2 With the development of clinical toxicology as a sub-specialty in emergency medicine and the establishment of emergency department (ED) toxicology teams and emergency medicine wards (EMW) in many local hospitals, emergency physicians in Hong Kong now play a pivotal role in the management of acute poisoning cases, not only in initial resuscitation, but also in subsequent care. 3,4 Significant reductions in hospital admission rates and length of stay have been demonstrated by employing ED toxicology teams and EMW in acute poisoning management. 5,6 Despite these reductions, the demand for intensive care during the course of acute poisoning management has remained more or less static.…”