Prehospital emergency care of patients exposed to poisoning: Assessment of epidemiological, clinical characteristics and quality of care

Abstract Objective To describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with suspected poisoning treated by advanced life support (ALS) units, and to evaluate quality indicators (QI) for the prehospital emergency care of these patients. Method A one-year observational study of patients under 18 years of age exposed to poisoning and treated by an ALS unit of the Medical Emergency System in Catalonia. Severe clinical criteria were defined, with 8 QI being evaluated for prehospital emergency care of poisoned paediatric patients. Results The study included a total of 254 patients, with a median age of 14 years old (p25-75 = 7–16), with intentional poisoning in 50.8% of cases. The most frequently involved toxic agent was carbon monoxide (CO) (33.8%). Poisoning was found in 48.8% of those patients, being serious in 16.5%. Intentionally (OR 5.1; 95% CI: 1.9–13.8) and knowledge of the time of exposure (OD 3.1; 95% CI: 1.3–7.3) were independent risk factors associated with the appearance of severe clinical symptoms. Five QI did not reach the quality standard and included, availability of specific clinical guidelines, activated charcoal administration in selected patients, oxygen therapy administration at maximum possible concentration in carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocardiographic assessment in patients exposed to cardiotoxic substances, and recording of the minimum data set. Conclusions Paediatric patients attended by ALS units showed specific characteristics, highlighting the involvement of CO and adolescents with voluntary poisoning. The QI assessment was useful to detect weak points in the quality of care of these patients and to develop strategies for improvement.