Elemental mercury exposure: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management.

The objective of this guideline is to assist poison center personnel in the out-of-hospital triage and initial management of patients with suspected exposures to elemental mercury. An evidence-based expert consensus process was used to create this guideline. It is based on an assessment of current scientific and clinical information. The panel recognizes that specific patient care decisions may be at variance with this guideline and are the prerogative of the patient and health professionals providing care. The grade of recommendation is in parentheses. Recommendations: 1) Patients with exposure due to suspected self-harm, abuse, misuse, or potentially malicious administration should be referred to an emergency department immediately regardless of the exposure reported (Grade D). 2) Patients with symptoms of acute elemental mercury poisoning (e.g., cough, dyspnea, chest pain) should be referred immediately to an emergency department for evaluation regardless of the reported dose. Patients with symptoms of...