Table 1 Characteristics and outcomes of acute poisoning patients in Pakistan from November 2010 to March 2011 in seven major tertiary care Emergency Departments of Pakistan
Variables | n | % |
|---|---|---|
Age (n = 211) | ||
< 5 years | 4 | 1.9 |
5-14 years | 21 | 10.0 |
15-24 years | 58 | 27.5 |
25-44 years | 87 | 41.2 |
45-64 years | 34 | 16.1 |
65+ years | 7 | 3.3 |
Gender (n = 217) | ||
Male | 148 | 68 |
Female | 69 | 31.8 |
Mode of arrival (n = 197) | ||
Ambulance | 14 | 7.1 |
Non ambulance | 183 | 92.8 |
Type of hospital (n = 233) | ||
Public hospital | 223 | 95.7 |
Private hospital | 10 | 4.3 |
Intent of injury (n = 135) | ||
Unintentional | 68 | 50.4 |
Self-poisoned | 26 | 19.3 |
Poisoned by someone else | 41 | 30.4 |
Types of services used and reasons for discharge* (n = 181) | ||
Only ED (proper discharge) | 63 | 34.8 |
Ward admission | 20 | 11.0 |
ICU/HDU admission | 1 | .6 |
Observation unit | 19 | 10.5 |
Follow-up | 58 | 32.0 |
Died | 12 | 6.6 |
Others(LAMA/LWBS/Referred out) | 8 | 4.4 |
Type of care provider*(n = 193) | ||
Paramedic | 84 | 43.5 |
House officer/intern | 72 | 37.3 |
PG trainee/Resident | 19 | 9.8 |
Medical Officer | 132 | 68.4 |
Nurse/midwife | 129 | 66.8 |
Attending physician | 5 | 2.6 |
Category of Poison ingested (n = 233) | ||
Drug/Medicine | 63 | 27.0 |
Alcohol | 39 | 16.7 |
Chemicals/Gases and Vapours | 102 | 43.8 |
Food/Plants | 14 | 6.0 |
Others | 15 | 6.4 |