Prevalence of Drug Overdose in Emergency Department Ramathibodi Hospital

Abstract

Objective : To study the prevalence of drug overdose in Emergency Department Ramathibodi Hospital and modalitiesfor improvement of care.

Method : The retrospective diagnostic study of 50 drug overdose patients who have presented to ED betweenNovember 2005 and October 2006 were recruited in this study. All analytic datas were present in number andpercent.

Results : The prevalence of drug overdose was 0.07 of total 70,000 patients /year. Women had Higher rate ofdrug over dose than men (42%,12%). Most of them ingested drug overdose for suicidal purpose. Drugs that effectthe neuro-muscular system was the most frequent suicidal agents (89%) including Transquilizer (43%), Analgesic& Antipyretics (38%). Paracetamol was the most frequent drug that had been used in drug over dose patients in83% (19 in 23 Analgesic & Antipyretics patients). Patients were sent to consult psychiatrist only 66%. Patientswere loss follow up 48%. 62% of patients have had complete recovery after discharge home by retrograde telephoneinterviewing. Some patients have been lost of contact from Ramathibodi Hospital.

Conclusions : This study shows some problems in treatment of drug overdose patients and the data from the studywill be benefit in improvement of patients care such as conducting clinical practice guideline for caring these patientsin the future.

Key words : drug, over dose, ED overdose