Category: Toxicology

Alcohol Withdrawl

Generally we DON’T admit patients acutely solely for “Detox”

However the following groups should be admitted [taken from trust guide]

  • Patients requiring admission for another reason – refer to appropriate specialty (e.g.  Head injury going to CDU, or Upper GI bleed going to medicine)
  • ALL patients with symptoms / signs of Wernicke’s – medicine
  • ALL patients with Delirium Tremens – medicine
  • ALL alcohol withdrawal fits if patient to remain abstinent – medicine
  • ALL alcohol related seizures with possible other trigger – medicnie
  • ALL decompensated alcoholic liver disease – medicine

If admitted to CDU – complete the PAT tool

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3. HAZMAT – CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) incidents

NHS England, Public Health England and the Health Protection Agency have produced several very useful resources for us to use – BUT First.

Remove – Remove – Remove

Basics

Contacts

  • Health Protection Agency Teams – HERE
    • West Yorkshire
      • In hours: 0113 386 0300
      • Out of hours: 114 304 9843
  • ECOSA (Emergency Coordinated Scientific Advice System) – 0300 3033 493

  • UK NPIS – 0344 892 0111

Guides

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1. HAZMAT – First Contact

REMOVE – REMOVE – REMOVE

Remove Them..

At reception ask them to go outside to designated area and staff will be with them shortly. Inform Nurse in Charge!

Remove Clothes..

Use the disrobing card to get the patient to safely remove and bag up clothes. Do your best to maintain privacy. CARD HERE

Remove Substance..

If we have ample warning or the number of patients will be significant, it may be worth deploying the decontamination tent but remember setting this up is time consuming.