Section 4. Gastrointestinal Decontamination

Gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination is the use of medical methods to decrease absorption of ingested toxins. Not long ago it was widely believed that the proper initial approach to the management of all patients with toxic exposures included an aggressive attempt at gastrointestinal decontamination. The widespread use assumed that these methods were effective at toxin removal and that they improved patient outcomes. Despite the fact that until the toxin is absorbed into the body it is not poisonous, it has been quite difficult to prove that preventing toxin absorption improves outcome.