Characteristics of digoxin toxicity attended in Spanish emergency departments according to type of poisoning and administration of digoxin antibodies: the DIGITOX study. / Características de las intoxicaciones por digoxina atendidas en diversos servicios de urgencias españoles en función del tipo de intoxicación y de la administración de anticuerpos antidigoxina: estudio DIGITOX.

OBJECTIVES: Digoxin toxicity accounts for a small percentage of poisonings attended by emergency departments. This study aimed to describe differences between acute and chronic digoxin toxicity and assess the use of digoxin-specific antibody fragments (digoxin-Fab) as an antidote. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, observational, multicenter study in 15 hospital emergency departments in 8 Spanish autonomous communities in 7 years. We collected patient, clinical and treatment variables, and discharge destination. Patients were classified according to whether toxicity was acute or chronic and whether digoxin-Fab was administered or not. RESULTS: Twenty-seven acute and 631 chronic digoxin poisonings were attended. The mean (SD) patient age was 83.9 (7.9) years, and 76.9% were women. Patients with acute toxicity were younger (80.0 [12] years) than those with chronic toxicity (84.1 [7.7] years) (P .038), and accidental poisoning was less common (in 85.2% vs 100% in chronic toxicity; P .001). Cases of acute toxicity were also more serious (Poison Severity Score (29.6% vs 12.5% in chronic toxicity; P .001). Thirty-four patients were treated with digoxin-Fab (5.4%). These patients were younger (78.7 [11.5] years vs 84.2 (7.6) years), their toxicity was more often acute (in 20.6% vs 3.2% in chronic toxicity), more had attempted suicide (8.8% vs 0.2% with chronic toxicity), and more had severe symptoms (50% vs 11.2%) (P .001, all comparisons). Hospital admission was required for 76.1%. Overall, mortality was 11.4%. CONCLUSION: Chronic toxicity accounts for most digoxin poisoning cases, and most patients are women. Acute toxicity is more serious. Patients who required digoxin-Fab have more severe poisoning. Such patients usually have acute toxicity, and attempted suicide is more often the reason for the emergency.

OBJETIVO: Las intoxicaciones por digoxina representan un pequeño porcentaje de las intoxicaciones atendidas en urgencias. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las diferencias entre intoxicaciones agudas y crónicas y evaluar la administración de su antídoto específico: los anticuerpos antidigoxina (AcAD). METODO: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y multicéntrico en 15 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios de 8 comunidades autónomas durante 7 años. Se recogieron datos de filiación, clínica, tratamiento y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron según era la intoxicación aguda o crónica y según recibían o no AcAD. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron 27 intoxicaciones agudas y 631 crónicas. La edad media fue de 83,9 (7,9) años, y el 76,9% eran mujeres. Los pacientes con intoxicación aguda tenían menor edad media (80,0 (12) vs 84,1 (7,7) años; p 0,038), y porcentaje de causa accidental (85,2% vs 100%; p 0,001) y mayor gravedad en la escala Poison Severity Score (29,6% vs 12,5%; p 0,001). Treinta y cuatro pacientes recibieron AcAD (5,4%) y constituyen un grupo de menor edad [78,7 (11,5) vs 84,2 (7,6); p 0,001], con mayor porcentaje de intoxicaciones agudas (20,6% vs 3,2%), intencionalidad suicida (8,8% vs 0,2%) y gravedad (50% vs 11,2%, p 0,001 en todas las comparaciones). El 76,1% precisó ingreso. La mortalidad fue del 11,4%. CONCLUSIONES: Las intoxicaciones por digoxina suelen ser crónicas y predominan en mujeres. Las intoxicaciones agudas son de mayor gravedad. Los pacientes que precisaron administración de AcAD tenían intoxicaciones más graves y mayor porcentaje de intoxicaciones agudas y con intencionalidad suicida.

Poisoning cases in Catalonia: characteristics according to age groups in the Intox.28 study. / Características de las intoxicaciones agudas atendidas en Cataluña y diferencias según grupos de edad: Estudio Intox-28.

OBJECTIVES: The Toxicology Working Group of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine (SoCMUETox) began the Intox-28 study in 2013. The aim was to identify differences in poisoning cases between 3 age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive observational study of poisoning cases managed in 8 hospital emergency departments on the 28th day of each month from 2013 to 2019. We gathered information on patient particulars, type of poison, clinical data, and discharge destination. The patient sample was distributed into 3 groups for comparison: minors under the age of 17 years, adults aged 17 to 65 years, and adults over the age of 65 years. RESULTS: The hospitals registered 1088 cases: 132, 859, and 97 in each age group. In comparisons between the minors and the adults aged 65 years or younger, the minors had more females (58.3% vs 46.1%), fewer recreational poisonings (22% vs 46.1%) more poisonings inside the home (67.4% vs 51.1%), more medication poisonings (49.2% vs 31.1%), and less often received treatment (43.2% vs 73%) (P .001, all comparisons). The proportion of older adults receiving treatment (73.2%) was similar to that of the younger adults. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of poisonings vary according to age. Differences lie in gender, intentionality, and type of poison.

OBJETIVO: El Grupo de Trabajo de Toxicología de la Societat Catalana de Medicina d'Urgències i Emergències (SoCMUETox) inició en 2013 el estudio Intox-28. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar las diferencias existentes en las características de las intoxicaciones según la edad de los pacientes. METODO: Estudio descriptivo observacional de las intoxicaciones atendidas en 8 servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) el día 28 de cada mes durante el periodo 2013-19. Se recogieron datos demográficos, tipo de tóxico, datos clínicos y destino al alta. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos: menores de 17 años, adultos (entre 17 y 65 años) y mayores de 65 años. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 1.088 intoxicaciones: 132 (12,1%), 859 (78,9%) y 97 (8,9%) en cada grupo de edad respectivamente. En comparación a los pacientes adultos, en los menores de 17 años hubo más mujeres (58,3% vs 46,1%; p 0,001), menos intoxicaciones de tipo recreativo (22% vs 46,1%; p 0,001) y acontecieron más frecuentemente en el domicilio (67,4% vs 51,1%; p 0,001). El tipo de tóxico más implicado fueron los fármacos (49,2% vs 31,1%; p 0,001) y precisaron tratamiento con menor frecuencia (43,2% vs 73%; p 0,001). Los mayores de 65 años precisaron tratamiento en porcentaje similar a los pacientes de 17 a 65 años (73,2%). CONCLUSIONES: Existen diferencias entre los grupos de edad, entre las que destacan el sexo predominante, la intencionalidad de la intoxicación y el tipo de tóxico implicado.

Potential value of urinary amatoxin quantification in patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning.

BACKGORUND & AIMS: Mushroom poisoning with Amanita phalloides or similar species can lead to liver failure with 10-30% mortality rates. We aimed at defining the prognostic value of urinary amatoxin quantification in patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning. METHODS: Data from 32 patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning (Hospital Clínic Barcelona, 2002-16) in whom urinary amatoxins were determined (ELISA) were retrospectively reviewed. Correlations between urinary amatoxin and collected baseline variables with outcomes including hepatotoxicity (ALT>1000 U/L), severe acute liver injury (ALI, prothrombin <50%), acute liver failure (ALF, ALI and encephalopathy), transplantation/death and hospital length-of-stay, were evaluated. RESULTS: 12/32 patients developed increased aminotransferase activity. Among the 13/32 amatoxin negative patients, 1 developed ALI and 12/13 no hepatotoxicity. Among the 19/32 amatoxin positive patients, 8/19 (42%) developed hepatotoxicity, including 5 who progressed to severe ALI, of whom 3 developed ALF (2 deaths, 1 transplantation). Urinary amatoxin and prothrombin were independent predictors of hepatotoxicity, ALT peak values (along with age) and hospital length-of-stay. In positive amatoxins patients, urinary concentrations > 55 ng/ml (or a baseline prothrombin ≤ 83%), were associated to hepatotoxicity (presented by 8/9 patients with ALT>1000 U/L). Among 5 patients with urinary amatoxin ≥ 70 ng/ml, 4 developed severe ALI. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hepatotoxic mushroom poisoning, a negative urinary amatoxin quantification within 72h of intake ruled out the risk of hepatotoxicity in 92% of patients, whereas positive urinary amatoxins were associated with hepatotoxicity and severe ALI. Concentrations >55 ng/ml and ≥ 70 ng/ml were predictive of hepatotoxicity and severe ALI, respectively.

Intoxicación aguda por drogas de abuso en el paciente VIH: papel del chemsex / Acute street drug poisoning in the patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: the role of chemsex

Objetivo. Identificar la principales drogas de abuso que producen intoxicación aguda en el paciente VIH. Método. Estudio retrospectivo de 1 año evolución de los episodios de intoxicación por drogas de abuso en el paciente VIH en un servicio de urgencias. Se definió chemsex como el consumo de metanfetamina, GHB/GBL o mefedrona para mantener relaciones sexuales prolongadas. Resultados. Se incluyeron 101 pacientes, 93 (92%) eran varones. La principal droga fue la cocaína en 52 (51%) pacientes, seguida del GHB y anfetaminas. La prevalencia de chemsex fue del 87%. La mortalidad de la serie fue del 2%. El consumo de anfetaminas predijo ingreso en cuidados intensivos: OR 9,2 (IC 95% 1,6-52,2); p = 0,012. Conclusión. La cocaína fue la principal causa de intoxicación aguda. El chemsex tuvieron una elevada prevalencia

Objective. To identify the drugs usually abused in cases of acute poisoning in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Methods. Retrospective study of episodes of acute street drug poisoning in HIV-infected patients in our emergency department over a period of 1 year. Chemsex was defined as the use of methamphetamines, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and/or mephedrone in order to prolong sexual activity. Results. We included 101 patients, 93 (92%) of whom were men. The drug that caused the most cases of acute poisoning was cocaine, detected in 52 patients (51%). GHB and amphetamines were the next most frequently implicated street drugs. The prevalence of chemsex in this series was 87%. Mortality was 2%. Amphetamine poisoning was related to intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 9,2 [95% CI, 1.6-52.2], P=.012). Conclusion. Cocaine use was the main cause of acute poisoning in this series. The prevalence of chemsex was high

Delayed Allergic Reactions to Jellyfish Stings: Usefulness of Ultrasonographic Evaluation.

Jellyfish stings often cause immediate local skin reactions, and, less frequently, the affected individuals may develop delayed allergic reactions days or months after the sting. Here, we present 4 such cases. In all cases, color Doppler ultrasonography was performed at the time of diagnosis, and in 3 of the cases, clinical follow-ups with ultrasonographic evaluations were performed. Ultrasonography initially showed dermal thickening with decreased echogenicity that progressively normalized during follow-up. Ultrasonography was useful in quantifying inflammation by measuring the thickness of the dermis and was more precise than standard clinical follow-up of cutaneous lesions in these cases.

Acute street drug poisoning in the patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: the role of chemsex. / Intoxicación aguda por drogas de abuso en el paciente VIH: papel del chemsex.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the drugs usually abused in cases of acute poisoning in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of episodes of acute street drug poisoning in HIV-infected patients in our emergency department over a period of 1 year. Chemsex was defined as the use of methamphetamines, -hydroxybutyrate (GHB), -butyrolactone (GBL), and/or mephedrone in order to prolong sexual activity. RESULTS: We included 101 patients, 93 (92%) of whom were men. The drug that caused the most cases of acute poisoning was cocaine, detected in 52 patients (51%). GHB and amphetamines were the next most frequently implicated street drugs. The prevalence of chemsex in this series was 87%. Mortality was 2%. Amphetamine poisoning was related to intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 9,2 [95% CI, 1.6-52.2], P=.012). CONCLUSION: Cocaine use was the main cause of acute poisoning in this series. The prevalence of chemsex was high.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la principales drogas de abuso que producen intoxicación aguda en el paciente VIH. METODO: Estudio retrospectivo de 1 año evolución de los episodios de intoxicación por drogas de abuso en el paciente VIH en un servicio de urgencias. Se definió chemsex como el consumo de metanfetamina, GHB/GBL o mefedrona para mantener relaciones sexuales prolongadas. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 101 pacientes, 93 (92%) eran varones. La principal droga fue la cocaína en 52 (51%) pacientes, seguida del GHB y anfetaminas. La prevalencia de chemsex fue del 87%. La mortalidad de la serie fue del 2%. El consumo de anfetaminas predijo ingreso en cuidados intensivos: OR 9,2 (IC 95% 1,6-52,2); p = 0,012. CONCLUSIONES: La cocaína fue la principal causa de intoxicación aguda. El chemsex tuvieron una elevada prevalencia.

Attenuated frontal and sensory inputs to the basal ganglia in cannabis users.

Heavy cannabis use is associated with reduced motivation. The basal ganglia, central in the motivation system, have the brain's highest cannabinoid receptor density. The frontal lobe is functionally coupled to the basal ganglia via segregated frontal-subcortical circuits conveying information from internal, self-generated activity. The basal ganglia, however, receive additional influence from the sensory system to further modulate purposeful behaviors according to the context. We postulated that cannabis use would impact functional connectivity between the basal ganglia and both internal (frontal cortex) and external (sensory cortices) sources of influence. Resting-state functional connectivity was measured in 28 chronic cannabis users and 29 controls. Selected behavioral tests included reaction time, verbal fluency and exposition to affective pictures. Assessments were repeated after one month of abstinence. Cannabis exposure was associated with (1) attenuation of the positive correlation between the striatum and areas pertaining to the 'limbic' frontal-basal ganglia circuit, and (2) attenuation of the negative correlation between the striatum and the fusiform gyrus, which is critical in recognizing significant visual features. Connectivity alterations were associated with lower arousal in response to affective pictures. Functional connectivity changes had a tendency to normalize after abstinence. The results overall indicate that frontal and sensory inputs to the basal ganglia are attenuated after chronic exposure to cannabis. This effect is consistent with the common behavioral consequences of chronic cannabis use concerning diminished responsiveness to both internal and external motivation signals. Such an impairment of the fine-tuning in the motivation system notably reverts after abstinence.

Agresiones realizadas con espráis de defensa personal atendidas en el área de descontaminación química de urgencias. A propósito de 15 casos / Injuries from pepper spray used for self defense: analysis of 15 cases managed in an emergency chemical decontamination area

Evalúan las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, terapéuticas y evolutivas, de las asistencias realizadas en el área de descontaminación química (ADQ) del servicio de urgencias, a consecuencia de un ataque con espráis de defensa personal durante un período de 5 años. Se han incluido 15 pacientes con una edad media de 25 años. Trece fueron hombres y el 53% eran personas no nacidas en España. En todos los casos la agresión con el espray se produjo en el curso de una pelea o con ánimo de robo, sobre todo de madrugada (66,7% de los casos entre las 4:30 y las 6:30 h). En el 60% de las atenciones hubo dos o más personas afectadas de forma simultánea. El ataque se produjo en la vía pública en el 73% de las ocasiones y tardaron una mediana de 30 min en llegar a urgencias. Cara y ojos fueron las zonas más afectadas y los síntomas referidos con mayor frecuencia fueron el picor, irritación, quemazón o dolor. El tratamiento aplicado en el hospital fue inmediato (media de demora: 3 min) y se empleó una solución hipertónica, anfótera y quelante en el 80% de los casos, con notable mejoría sintomática, pasando en la escala visual analógica (EVA) del dolor de una puntuación media de 7,2 al ingreso a 3 a la salida (p = 0,009). El tiempo medio de permanencia en el ADQ fue de 40 min. Once de los casos precisaron además asistencia oftalmológica y tratamiento tópico sintomático. La evolución fue favorable y sin secuelas en todos los casos. Concluimos que el uso de espráis de defensa personal con ánimo de robo o agresión es una realidad en nuestro medio. Las medidas de descontaminación son prioritarias y contribuyen a aliviar los síntomas y evitar secuelas (AU)

We analyzed epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, treatment received, and clinical course in cases of pepper spray injury treated in the chemical decontamination area of an emergency department over a 5-year period. A total of 15 patients with a mean (SD) age of 25 (8.3) years were included. Thirteen were men and 53% were foreign-born. All uses of pepper spray occurred during muggings that to place mainly in the early hours of the morning (66.7% between 4:30 and 6:30 AM). Two or more attackers were injured in 60% of the events. Seventy-three percent of the attacks took place on the street and the median delay in reaching the emergency department was 30 minutes. The face and eyes were usually injured, and symptoms included itching, irritation, burning, and pain. On arrival, the patients were treated immediately (mean delay, 3 minutes) with hypertonic saline, an amphoteric surfactant, and a chelating agent in 80% of the cases, in which improvement was substantial as mean pain scale scores changed from 7.2 on admission to 3 on discharge (P=.009). Patients spent an average of 40 minutes in the treatment area. Eleven patients required further care from an ophthalmologist and topical medication for symptoms. Outcomes were good and there were no complications in any of the cases. We conclude that pepper sprays are being used as an aid to self defense in muggings in our community. Decontamination measures have priority as they alleviate symptoms and prevent long-lasting effects (AU)

Lesión renal aguda en la intoxicación por paracetamol / Acute kidney injury in paracetamol poisoning

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Sonda nasogástrica, carbón activado y peritonitis / Nasogastric tube, activated charcoal and peritonitis

No disponible

[Injuries from pepper spray used for self defense: analysis of 15 cases managed in an emergency chemical decontamination area]. / Agresiones realizadas con espráis de defensa personal atendidas en el área de descontaminación química de urgencias. A propósito de 15 casos.

EN: We analyzed epidemiologic and clinical characteristics, treatment received, and clinical course in cases of pepper spray injury treated in the chemical decontamination area of an emergency department over a 5-year period. A total of 15 patients with a mean (SD) age of 25 (8.3) years were included. Thirteen were men and 53% were foreign-born. All uses of pepper spray occurred during muggings that to place mainly in the early hours of the morning (66.7% between 4:30 and 6:30 AM). Two or more attackers were injured in 60% of the events. Seventy-three percent of the attacks took place on the street and the median delay in reaching the emergency department was 30 minutes. The face and eyes were usually injured, and symptoms included itching, irritation, burning, and pain. On arrival, the patients were treated immediately (mean delay, 3 minutes) with hypertonic saline, an amphoteric surfactant, and a chelating agent in 80% of the cases, in which improvement was substantial as mean pain scale scores changed from 7.2 on admission to 3 on discharge (P=.009). Patients spent an average of 40 minutes in the treatment area. Eleven patients required further care from an ophthalmologist and topical medication for symptoms. Outcomes were good and there were no complications in any of the cases. We conclude that pepper sprays are being used as an aid to self defense in muggings in our community. Decontamination measures have priority as they alleviate symptoms and prevent long-lasting effects.

ES: Evalúan las características epidemiológicas, clínicas, terapéuticas y evolutivas, de las asistencias realizadas en el área de descontaminación química (ADQ) del servicio de urgencias, a consecuencia de un ataque con espráis de defensa personal durante un período de 5 años. Se han incluido 15 pacientes con una edad media de 25 años. Trece fueron hombres y el 53% eran personas no nacidas en España. En todos los casos la agresión con el espray se produjo en el curso de una pelea o con ánimo de robo, sobre todo de madrugada (66,7% de los casos entre las 4:30 y las 6:30 h). En el 60% de las atenciones hubo dos o más personas afectadas de forma simultánea. El ataque se produjo en la vía pública en el 73% de las ocasiones y tardaron una mediana de 30 min en llegar a urgencias. Cara y ojos fueron las zonas más afectadas y los síntomas referidos con mayor frecuencia fueron el picor, irritación, quemazón o dolor. El tratamiento aplicado en el hospital fue inmediato (media de demora: 3 min) y se empleó una solución hipertónica, anfótera y quelante en el 80% de los casos, con notable mejoría sintomática, pasando en la escala visual analógica (EVA) del dolor de una puntuación media de 7,2 al ingreso a 3 a la salida (p = 0,009). El tiempo medio de permanencia en el ADQ fue de 40 min. Once de los casos precisaron además asistencia oftalmológica y tratamiento tópico sintomático. La evolución fue favorable y sin secuelas en todos los casos. Concluimos que el uso de espráis de defensa personal con ánimo de robo o agresión es una realidad en nuestro medio. Las medidas de descontaminación son prioritarias y contribuyen a aliviar los síntomas y evitar secuelas.

MARRIED-cocaine score: validating a tool for detecting the risk of ED revisit in cocaine users.

OBJECTIVE: According to a previous study, 17% of patients who attended an emergency department (ED) following cocaine use returned to the same ED over the next year for a problem related to drug use. This previous study proposed a scale (Multicenter Assessment of the Revisit Risk In the Emergency Department (MARRIED)-cocaine score) to quantify the risk of ED revisit. The aim of the present study was to validate this scale by analysing a new set of patients attending for cocaine use in nine Spanish EDs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicentre, cohort study with consecutive patient inclusion, and without an intervention or control group. During 12 months (January-December 2010) we collected data from patients attending the ED after cocaine use. The MARRIED-cocaine score, ranging from 0 to 400 points, was calculated for each patient. The dependent variable was the identification of further visits associated with drug consumption to the same ED. Further analysis was performed to define risk categories. RESULTS: The study included 933 patients, with a mean follow-up of 466 (SD 189) days, and 185 patients returned to the same ED for problems related to drug consumption. The cumulative probability of ED revisit was 4.2%, 8.3%, 16.8% and 21.2% at 1 month, 3 months, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. The area under the curve receiver operating characteristic for the MARRIED-cocaine scale was 0.69 (p<0.001). Four categories for ED revisit risk were defined: low risk (0-40 points, n=416), moderate risk (41-100 points, n=235), high risk (101-210 points, n=71) and very high risk (210-400 points, n=211), with HRs for ED revisit (with respect to the low-risk group) of 1.82 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.80, p=0.007), 2.65 (95% CI 1.50 to 4.66, p=0.001) and 5.06 (95% CI 3.49 to 7.35, p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MARRIED-cocaine score has a moderate discriminative capacity to predict revisit among patients who attend the ED for cocaine drug-related emergencies, and allows classification of patients according to the risk of ED revisit.

Urgencias asociadas al consumo de metoxetamina. Primeras descripciones en España de esta nueva droga / Methoxetamine-associated emergencies. First Spanish descriptions of this new drug

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Respuesta: Consideraciones sobre las asistencias urgentes a consumidores de cocaína en España / Reply: Bullet points of emergency attendances for cocaine-users in Spain

No disponible

Activación del Código de Intoxicación Aguda Grave (CODITOX) desde la perspectiva hospitalaria / Hospital activation of the CODITOX protocol for severe acute poisoning

Objetivo: Los códigos de activación pretenden dar una asistencia continuada, coordinada y sin demoras, a pacientes con patologías tiempo-dependientes, como es el caso de los intoxicados (CODITOX). El objetivo del estudio es medir el grado de cumplimiento del CODITOX y comparar la evolución de los intoxicados en los que se ha activado y en los que no. Método: Estudio analítico con seguimiento retrospectivo y no intervencionista sobre la activación del CODITOX, realizada durante el año 2012. Se han comparado los intoxicados atendidos en el área de reanimación de urgencias en los que se había activado el CODITOX y en los que no. Resultados: Se han incluido 90 pacientes: en 12 se activó el CODITOX (grupo A), en 36 no se activó pero había criterios de activación (grupo B) y en 42 no había criterios de activación y no se activó (grupo C). En el grupo A se constató un 75% de complicaciones frente a un 28% del grupo B (p = 0,006). Ingresaron en UCI el 41,7% de los intoxicados del grupo A, frente al 25% del grupo B. Hubo un 4,4% de fallecimientos, sin diferencias entre los grupos. Aunque los intervalos puerta-carbón y puerta-antídoto fueron menores en el grupo A, las diferencias no fueron significativas y no afectaron al tiempo de estancia en el hospital. Conclusiones: El CODITOX no se activa en todos los pacientes con criterios de activación y, aunque el grupo CODITOX presenta más criterios de gravedad, no se han podido demostrar diferencias clínicas, terapéuticas o evolutivas entre los que se activa este código y los que no, excepto que el grupo CODITOX presentó más complicaciones (AU)

Background and objectives: Clinical care protocols, such as CODITOX for severe acute poisonings, attempt to codify and coordinate care processes to prevent delays in situations where timing is a key factor. This study aimed to measure the degree of adherence to CODITOX and compare patterns of activation of the protocol over time. Methods: Non interventional, retrospective, analytical study of CODITOX activations in 2012. We compared poisonings attended according to the CODITOX protocol to those attended without CODITOX activation in the emergency department’s resuscitation unit. Results. Out of 90 poisoning cases, 12 were attended following the CODITOX (group A). In 36 cases (group B), patients were not attended according to protocol even though they presented with criteria that should have activated it; in the remaining 42 cases, criteria for activating the protocol were not present and it was not used. Complications developed in 75% of group-A cases and 28% of group-B cases (P=.006). In group A, 41.7% of the patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (25% in group B); mortality was 4.4% and there were no significant between-group differences. The times between arrival and administration of charcoal and between arrival and administration of an antidote tended to be shorter in group A, but again the between-group differences were not statistically significant and did not affect duration of hospital stay. Conclusions: The CODITOX protocol is not used in all cases that meet the activation criteria. Although the cases treated according to protocol were more serious, no clinical, therapeutic, or outcome differences could be identified between patients treated or not treated according to the CODITOX. The protocol-treated patients developed more complications, however (AU)