Management of drug overdoses in accident and emergency departments in the United Kingdom

Abstract

A questionnaire consisting of 10 overdose scenarios was sent to 190 career accident and emergency staff in the United Kingdom, asking in each case how the respondents would treat a patient to prevent drug absorption. The responses showed lack of consensus in treatment methods. There was extensive use of both ipecacuanha induced emesis and gastric lavage despite a lack of experimental evidence to support these techniques.