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KARACHI: A
pre-symposium workshop on Clinical toxicology was organized at JPMC on
February 13th by the National Poisoning Control Center and Medical
Unit-5 which was largely attended by healthcare professionals,
representatives of the media, and telecommunications besides pharma
industry. The facilitators included Prof. Jamal Ara, Dr. Tariq Aziz and
Dr. Tahir Ansari. The objective of the workshop was to enhance the
importance of Time Factor in the process of poisoning and medical help,
review the present methods of communication, and review capacity in
making the difference in the field of chemical safety besides
formulating the recommendations to help improve the situation.
The issues discussed in detail included the use of antidotes, supportive
therapy, poison control, drug overdose, self medications which can be
harmful if not used judiciously, role of the pharmacists in poison
control, drug interactions, establishing a hotline for help, different
occupational hazards, education of public and healthcare professionals
particularly the GPS and Family Physicians. It was pointed out that we
do not have actual figures regarding epidemiology of poisoning as a vast
number of poisoning cases are not reported to the National Poison
Control Center for various reasons. It was emphasized that efforts
should be made to start collecting data on national level and then find
out the kinds of poisoning substances used. The public need to be
educated to keep the pesticides, fertilizers and other poisoning
substances out of the reach of the children. Apart from establishing a
national data bank, it was also emphasized that we should have a
consumer protection safety commission or board to take up these cases.
During the brain storming session handling of medico legal cases,
storage of drugs, child protected packaging, effective interventions
were also discussed.
Dr. Tahir Ansari in his presentation pointed out that during the Year
2003 to 2009 the National Poison Control Center at JPMC received 5036
patients. Majority of them 66.76% were of chemical poisoning wherein
organophosphate poisoning was most common followed by Heroin overdose,
alcohol, drugs and kerosene oil etc. Speaking about the outcome, he said
that they were able to recover 92.7% of the cases. One hundred fifty
patients died which comes to 4.46% while 2.77% patients left against
medical advice (LAMA). A case scenario was also presented on which
different groups gave their feed back as to how this case could have
been handled better to improve patient safety. Replying to a question it
was stated that they have not published this data so far. At this, it
was suggested that they should get it published in peer reviewed
journals because unless something is published, it is presumed that it
has not happened.
Prof. Jamal Ara in her presentation highlighted the importance of acting
fast in case some one has been poisoned. Emergencies come all of a
sudden and we should not wait for that moment. She also referred to the
1984 Bhopal incident in India, 1987 incident of Fertilizers poisoning in
China, the plastic incident of 1993 in Bangkok, poisoned medicines in
Haiti in 1996 etc. The workshop recommended that there was a need to
improve capacity at the national level to obtain information from all
sources. Guidance and help of all involved in communication will be of
immense help. Print and electronic media can play a vital role in
educating the public as well as the healthcare professionals on how to
ensure patient safety in case of poisoning. Setting up of a Poison
information center was also suggested. All such centers all over the
world, Prof. Jamal Ara said are run and managed by qualified
pharmacists. Epidemiological data collection is extremely important
which will help the planners to take effective measures. Education, fast
communication, transportation of the victims to the nearest healthcare
facility can make all the difference in the final outcome in poisoning
cases. |
