Analysis of Data on Inhalation Poisoning using the Example of the Łuków County in the years 2015–2017

Abstract

Aim: This article presents an original analysis of inhalation poisoning data using the example of the Łuków County in 2015-2017. The data was obtained from cases to which Emergency Medical Services were dispatched. Most of such exposures were accidental or caused by negligence. and could be avoided by applying appropriate prevention and safety rules. Introduction: Inhalation poisonings represent a small percentage of all poisonings. They are mainly associated with the heating season and carbon monoxide. The number of inhalation poisonings is much smaller than that of food poisonings, alcohol poisonings or drug overdoses but they also constitute a significant health risk for the public. Methodology: The study was based on an analysis of medical documentation of the emergency medical services station in Łuków. The research material was composed of the information contained in the dispatch documentation of EMS teams, i.e. ambulance call records and medical rescue records for events related to inhalation poisoning. The selection of events from all those that occurred during the audited period was made on the basis of: – information provided by the reporting person to the emergency number 999 or 112, – ICD-10 code in the medical emergency record, i.e. diagnosis of the cause of the illness or event. The analysed factors included age, sex, place of intoxication, seasonality and circadian variation of poisoning. The analysis also considered environmental conditions and the influence of stimulants. Results: In the analysed period there were 80 events related to inhalation poisoning. There were 89 people exposed in 80 events (65% – men, 35% – women). Over 90% were cases of accidental poisoning. 60% of the events occurred at 7 am – 7 pm and 40% of the events occurred at 7 pm – 7 am. Of all exposures, 90% were single poisonings and the remaining 10% were multiple. Most poisonings (78%) occurred at the place of residence. Among all the victims, 56% were hospitalized in the county hospital in Łuków, 38% of patients remained at home (including due to death –20% or lack of symptoms requiring hospital treatment – 18%), and almost 6% required immediate specialist treatment. Most incidents related to inhalation poisoning in the Łuków County occurred in rural areas – 56 out of 80. Most inhalation poisonings were caused by CO.