Prescribers aware: A cross-sectional study from New Zealand emergency departments on the substances used in intentional self-poisoning and their sources

6Citations
Citations of this article
53Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Intentional self-poisoning or self-harm through poisoning, is a common cause of presentations to emergency departments (EDs). National datasets do not allow identification of the substances most commonly used in hospital-treated intentional self-poisoning in New Zealand, nor do they capture sources of these substances. AIM: To investigate the specific substances used in intentional self-poisoning and the sources from which they are obtained. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, information about the demographics and presentation particulars of intentional self-poisoning patients aged ≥16 years, presenting to three public EDs, as well as the substances they used in the self-poisoning event and the sources of these agents, were collected prospectively. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were recruited from the potentially eligible 1137 intentional self-poisoning patients presenting to the three EDs during the study period. Seventy per cent used their own prescription medications and 24% used medicines they purchased themselves. Paracetamol and ethanol were most commonly encountered substances. Patients presented a median of 1.9 h after exposure (interquartile range 1.0-3.3 h), 62% self-referred, 60% presented to the ED in the evening or at night and 66% were triaged into Australasian Triage Scale 3 (to be seen within 30 min). Two-thirds were referred to emergency psychiatric services. DISCUSSION: Collecting specific substance information, such as from this study, can assist in planning specific activities to prevent intentional self-poisoning. As most people used their prescribed medicines, the findings can inform and assist doctors in their prescribing practices when they manage patients at risk of self-poisoning.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Kumpula, E. K., Lambie, B., Quigley, P., Nada-Raja, S., & Norris, P. (2020). Prescribers aware: A cross-sectional study from New Zealand emergency departments on the substances used in intentional self-poisoning and their sources. Journal of Primary Health Care, 12(3), 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1071/HC20017

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free