OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the treatment guidelines on the management of paracetamol self poisoning in accident and emergency (A&E) departments. METHODS: 24 A&E departments in Wales and England provided details of their management of paracetamol poisoning before and after the distribution of national treatment guidelines to all A&E departments in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Significant increases were seen in the availability of formal written policies, the display of treatment nomograms, the recommendation to treat beyond 16 hours after ingestion, and to use a lower line on the treatment nomogram for patients at special risk of paracetamol induced liver damage. CONCLUSIONS: Regularly updated guidelines in the management of paracetamol poisoning should be displayed in A&E departments so that medical and nursing personnel have access to the best current information on the treatment of poisoning with this frequently used drug.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the treatment guidelines on the management of paracetamol self poisoning in accident and emergency (A&E) departments. METHODS: 24 A&E departments in Wales and England provided details of their management of paracetamolpoisoning before and after the distribution of national treatment guidelines to all A&E departments in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Significant increases were seen in the availability of formal written policies, the display of treatment nomograms, the recommendation to treat beyond 16 hours after ingestion, and to use a lower line on the treatment nomogram for patients at special risk of paracetamol induced liver damage. CONCLUSIONS: Regularly updated guidelines in the management of paracetamolpoisoning should be displayed in A&E departments so that medical and nursing personnel have access to the best current information on the treatment of poisoning with this frequently used drug.
Authors: R Buhl; H A Jaffe; K J Holroyd; F B Wells; A Mastrangeli; C Saltini; A M Cantin; R G Crystal Journal: Lancet Date: 1989-12-02 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: P Routledge; J A Vale; D N Bateman; G D Johnston; A Jones; A Judd; S Thomas; G Volans; L F Prescott; A Proudfoot Journal: BMJ Date: 1998-12-12