A Narrative Review of the Interdisciplinary Management of Acute Poisonings and Overdoses: From Bedside to Laboratory to Antidote
Abstract
Background: Acute poisonings and overdoses represent a critical global public health challenge, characterized by evolving substance trends and complex presentations. Effective management necessitates a seamless, interdisciplinary approach integrating emergency medicine, nursing, laboratory toxicology, and clinical pharmacy.
Aim: This narrative review aims to synthesize contemporary evidence on the interdisciplinary management of acute poisonings, tracing the patient journey from initial bedside stabilization through laboratory diagnostics to specific antidotal therapy.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (2010-2024). Key search terms included "acute poisoning," "overdose," "toxicology," "antidote," "toxicology laboratory," "multidisciplinary," and specific agent and intervention names. Relevant articles, including reviews, clinical trials, and guidelines, were selected for analysis.
Results: Successful outcomes depend on a synergistic, protocol-driven response. Emergency medicine provides rapid stabilization and risk assessment, guided by toxidromes. Nursing ensures meticulous supportive care and monitoring for complications. The modern toxicology laboratory extends beyond basic screens to quantitative assays, pharmacokinetic modeling, and detection of novel substances, directly informing management. Clinical pharmacy specialists optimize antidote selection, dosing, and pharmacokinetic interventions, serving as a bridge to poison control center expertise.
Conclusion: The management of acute poisoning is a paradigm of time-sensitive, interdisciplinary care. Strengthening collaboration, communication pathways, and shared protocols between these four pillars—emergency medicine, nursing, laboratory science, and clinical pharmacy—is essential for improving patient outcomes amidst a changing toxicological landscape.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Hamed Ali Mshan Almotiri, Fahad Daar Almutairi, Saeed Saleh Saeed Almutairi, Fatimah Abdulaziz Ali Asiri, Abdulrhman Saleem Aldafiri, Rahmah Ali Alatawi, Hazim Awadh Ayidh Alhaysuni, Fahad Mohammed Al-Rashidi, Reem Ageel Bashakur, Meshal Masad Muaytiq Almutairi, Dughaymah Mubarak Salamah Alsulobi, Abdullah Abdulrahman Mubark, Salha Ahmed Saeed Alshehri
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