Mark K. Su

Accurate and reliable diagnostic criteria exist for many disease processes and are commonly referred to as “gold-standard” criteria. As an example, the “gold-standard” definition of myocardial infa...

This case series examines poison center reports of alkyl nitrite (ie, poppers) use throughout an 11-year period.

Alkyl nitrites ("poppers") are used recreationally for sexual enhancement, muscle relaxation, and euphoria. However, they can be toxic and cause adverse reactions such as methemoglobinemia. While inhalation is the typical route of usage, the New York City Poison Center has noted an increase in calls related to ingestion. Given the uncertainty of usage instructions at the point of sale, our study aimed to assess instructions provided to consumers about alkyl nitrite use and to evaluate the proximity and co-sale of alkyl nitrites with similarly appearing energy drink shots. We conducted a cross-sectional convenience sample survey of smoke shops, cannabis dispensaries, and exotic shops within the catchment area of an urban poison center. Plain clothes "investigators" (i.e., the researchers) visited these retailers and followed a predetermined protocol and script to request information regarding the availability and usage of alkyl nitrites. Additionally, the researchers attempted to visually assess the proximity of alkyl nitrites to similarly appearing energy drink shots during their visit. Ninety-eight stores were visited in the New York City area, and eighty-six met the inclusion criteria of selling alkyl nitrites. After being questioned, forty-one (48%) retailers advised inhalation. Thirty-eight (44%) vendors were unsure how to use alkyl nitrites or refused to answer. Seven (8%) stores recommended ingestion. Furthermore, fifty-one (59%) vendors also sold 5-Hour Energy^® drinks and alkyl nitrites were located near these energy drink shots in twenty (39%) of these fifty-one stores. Many commercial alkyl nitrite retailers in our survey area lack knowledge or provide potentially inaccurate information regarding the use of alkyl nitrites. Additionally, alkyl nitrites are often sold alongside commercial energy drinks, potentially increasing the risk of incidental ingestion. Further research is necessary to determine the impact of these patterns of sale and potential misinformation. Discussing preliminary results of our survey with the New York City Department of Health led to the rapid creation of an informational poster and local outreach. Clinicians should report cases of alkyl nitrite use to their regional poison center to allow for more targeted and timely public health intervention.

Consensus guidelines for out-of-hospital assessment and triage of paracetamol (acetaminophen) exposure were published in 2006. Changes in the healthcare system, paracetamol ingestion trends, and availability of paracetamol-containing products necessitate an update to these guidelines. Updated guidelines were created for out-of-hospital management of paracetamol exposure in the United States and Canada. A modified Delphi consensus methodology was used to create a decision framework to evaluate clinical aspects of care related to paracetamol overdose in the out-of-hospital setting. Twenty-one panelists were selected by four clinical toxicology societies (America's Poison Centers®, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Medical Toxicology, and Canadian Association for Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology) to participate as panelists. Guidelines were collected from most poison centers in the United States and Canada, and systematic collection and review of medical literature was conducted. The panel developed a guideline for out-of-hospital management of paracetamol exposure that encompasses acute and repeated supratherapeutic ingestion patterns. Acute ingestion is defined as any ingestion presenting within 24 h of initial ingestion, regardless of ingestion pattern. Repeated supratherapeutic ingestion is defined as an exposure that occurs over a period of 24 h or more. This guideline emphasizes the importance of obtaining accurate history. When ingestion history is determined as accurate, dosage and ingestion pattern are used to decide treatment referral. It is recommended that patients be referred to the emergency department if their ingestion amount is: (1) ≥200 mg/kg or 10 g (whichever is less) within 24 h; (2) ≥150 mg/kg/24 h or 6 g/day (whichever is less) within 48 h; (3) ≥100 mg/kg/24 h or 4 g/day (whichever is less) for more than 48 h. The need for standardizing the out-of-hospital assessment and triage of paracetamol exposure is pressing. Despite the availability of acetylcysteine, some patients develop fatal liver failure due to missed diagnoses and delays in treatment. Failure to recognize cases requiring acetylcysteine is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This consensus statement provides evidence-based guidance for out-of-hospital management of paracetamol ingestion to standardize healthcare facility referral criteria for paracetamol exposed patients.

Hemodialysis has an essential role in the treatment of certain poisoned patients, both by enhancing the elimination of select poisons and correcting underlying fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances. We sought to identify barriers to the performance of hemodialysis when it was recommended by our poison center. Data from a single United States poison center were retrospectively queried for adult patients for whom the poison center recommended intermittent hemodialysis for poison removal. The primary outcome was the performance of intermittent hemodialysis within 12 h of the poison center recommendation, which we defined as timely hemodialysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to assess the effect of the following variables on this outcome: age group, patient sex, time of day of the recommendation, day of week of the recommendation, year of the recommendation, hospital location, and poison category. A total of 535 patient encounters were analyzed. The majority (72%) of patients had intermittent hemodialysis performed within 12 h of when it was recommended. The multivariable analyses showed that the odds of receiving recommended intermittent hemodialysis within 12 h were significantly lower when the recommendation was made during the nighttime (OR: 0.660; 95% CI: 0.442-0.987) compared to daytime and during the weekend (OR: 0.605; 95% CI: 0.398-0.918) compared to weekdays. Intermittent hemodialysis is resource-intensive and requires specialized equipment and personnel, which is likely less available outside of regular business hours. This study is limited by its retrospective nature and may not be generalizable to other poison centers. Patients for whom our poison center recommended intermittent hemodialysis during non-weekday times had lower odds of receiving timely hemodialysis. Hospital administrators and healthcare providers should be aware of this potential treatment obstacle for poisoned patients and identify the specific barriers involved in order to facilitate timely hemodialysis.