Poisoning
Poisons Information Centre — emergency number: 131 126
If person unconscious, drowsy or fitting — see Life support — DRS ABC, Unconscious person, Fits — seizures
Do not
- Do not cause vomiting
- Do not give anything by mouth unless told to by Poisons Information Centre — even for corrosive substances or chemicals like bleach, petrol, diesel, battery acid
Ask — person or family
- What was taken (swallowed, breathed in or on skin or clothes) — is there label for poison name, type, manufacturer
- Bring product to clinic with person
- When it was taken
- How much was taken — how many tablets, how much liquid, inhaled for how long
- If person's prescribed medicine — how much more than normal dose
- Was it taken deliberately (on purpose) or by accident
- Were alcohol or other drugs taken as well
- Nausea, vomiting, pain, shortness of breath
- Any treatment given already
Check
- Calculate age-appropriate REWS
- Adult — AVPU, RR, O2 sats, pulse, BP, Temp
- Child (less than 13 years) — AVPU, respiratory distress, RR, O2 sats, pulse, central capillary refill time, Temp
- Weight, BGL
- ECG and Coma scale score, pupil reactions
- Head-to-toe exam with attention to
- redness or swelling of mouth, airways and lung sounds
Do
- If trouble breathing or reduced level of consciousness — give oxygen to avoid hypoxia
- Oxygen to target O2 sats 94–98% OR if moderate/severe COPD — 88–92%
- In cases of opioid induced hypoventilation — see Opioids
- Call Poisons Information Centre — 131 126
- Have above information about person and poison ready
- Centre staff will advise you about management
- Medical consult about person, advice you have been given, do you need to send to hospital, management plan, if poison taken deliberately