A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services

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dc.contributor.advisorHodkinson, Peter
dc.contributor.advisorVan Koningsbruggen, Candice
dc.contributor.authorMoreira, Fabio
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-09T11:30:52Z
dc.date.available2026-01-09T11:30:52Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2026-01-06T12:26:48Z
dc.description.abstractBackground: The scale and types of acute poisoning presenting to the prehospital provider in South Africa and other low- or middle-income countries is largely unknown. Emergency medical services (EMS) are often responsible for the on-scene management and transport of these patients and have a range of treatment options depending on scope of practice. The aim of this study was to describe acute poisoning patients presenting to the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted utilizing electronic patient care data of acute poisoning cases extracted from EMS records for the calendar year 2022. Results: Of the 2254 acute poisoning cases identified, 69.03% were female. The median age was 27 years, and the method of poisoning was most commonly ingestion (97.20%). A single toxin was involved in 46.85% of cases, while 32.03% of cases involved multiple toxins. In 34.38% of all cases, a toxin unknown to EMS was reported. Paracetamol and alcohol were the most common known toxins observed. The top 5 toxins by single toxin involvement were herbicides and pesticides; antiretrovirals; antiseptics and disinfectants; paracetamol; and hydrocarbons. There were a higher number of cases in the second half of the year, with a peak in November and December, as well as more cases. during weekends. Most cases were triaged as moderate to severe acuity. Activated charcoal was administered in 3.46% of cases; oxygen was administered in 3.82% of cases; intravenous access was obtained in 17.7% of patients and 1.97% of cases had a documented airway intervention performed. Conclusion: There is a necessity for better awareness, and improved training for EMS providers to enhance the care of acute poisoning patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the gaps in management and the implications for patient outcomes, ultimately contributing to the development of effective interventions and educational programs aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of acute poisoning.
dc.identifier.apacitationMoreira, F. (2025). <i>A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMoreira, Fabio. <i>"A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMoreira, F. 2025. A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Moreira, Fabio AB - Background: The scale and types of acute poisoning presenting to the prehospital provider in South Africa and other low- or middle-income countries is largely unknown. Emergency medical services (EMS) are often responsible for the on-scene management and transport of these patients and have a range of treatment options depending on scope of practice. The aim of this study was to describe acute poisoning patients presenting to the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted utilizing electronic patient care data of acute poisoning cases extracted from EMS records for the calendar year 2022. Results: Of the 2254 acute poisoning cases identified, 69.03% were female. The median age was 27 years, and the method of poisoning was most commonly ingestion (97.20%). A single toxin was involved in 46.85% of cases, while 32.03% of cases involved multiple toxins. In 34.38% of all cases, a toxin unknown to EMS was reported. Paracetamol and alcohol were the most common known toxins observed. The top 5 toxins by single toxin involvement were herbicides and pesticides; antiretrovirals; antiseptics and disinfectants; paracetamol; and hydrocarbons. There were a higher number of cases in the second half of the year, with a peak in November and December, as well as more cases. during weekends. Most cases were triaged as moderate to severe acuity. Activated charcoal was administered in 3.46% of cases; oxygen was administered in 3.82% of cases; intravenous access was obtained in 17.7% of patients and 1.97% of cases had a documented airway intervention performed. Conclusion: There is a necessity for better awareness, and improved training for EMS providers to enhance the care of acute poisoning patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the gaps in management and the implications for patient outcomes, ultimately contributing to the development of effective interventions and educational programs aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of acute poisoning. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Emergency medical services KW - South Africa LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services TI - A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMoreira F. A descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42516en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDivision of Emergency Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectEmergency medical services
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.titleA descriptive study of acutely poisoned patients presenting to the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
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