References
Use of flumazenil to treat poisoning in prehospital care
Abstract
A discussion exploring antidotes available for drug toxicity is presented, focusing specifically on flumazenil, within the prehospital setting. This critical review was carried out to establish whether this antidote would be useful in prehospital care and details the potential for practice development for the role of the ambulance-based paramedic. Analysis suggests that further research is required in order to determine the requisite of this antidote.
This critical review will explore the use of antidotes for drug toxicity in prehospital care, focusing on flumazenil as a treatment for benzodiazepine poisoning. It will detail the potential for practice development for the role of the ambulance-based paramedic.
Drug overdose (including both accidental and suicidal), drug interactions and drug toxicity secondary to incorrect drug doses can all result in toxicological emergencies, which put ever-increasing demands on the hospital and prehospital settings (Chacko and Peter, 2019).
While in-hospital mortality rates are <0.5% in acutely poisoned patients, a further 5% of patients have other serious clinical outcomes (Kuang et al, 2009). In some cases, appropriate and timely use of an antagonist or antidote can terminate the progression of toxicity; evidence suggests that administration of a specific antidote combined with general supportive care can reduce rates of morbidity and mortality related to life-threatening poisonings (Pillay, 2008). Chacko and Peter (2019) note that, conversely, inappropriate use or delayed administration may result in adverse patient outcomes.
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