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alliedacademies Joint Event on
S e p t e m b e r 1 0 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 8 | D u b l i n , I r e l a n d
TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY & DRUG DISCOVERY
&
Global Congress on
International Conference on
Pharma Chem Congress 2018 & Toxicology Congress 2018 Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences | Volume 8
Maha Ghanem et al., Asian J Biomed Pharmaceut Sci 2018, Volume 8 | DOI: 10.4066/2249-622X-C2-005
ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES AND
SERVICES UTILIZATION OF ALEXANDRIA
POISON CENTER
Maha Ghanem, Salma Abdullah Mohammed and Mona Hamdy
University of Alexandria, Egypt
Background: The structure and function of poison centers varies around the
world; however, at aminimuma poison center is an information service. Some
poison centers may also include a toxicology laboratory and/or a clinical
treatment unit. Unfortunately, there is little information about poison centers
in Arabian countries, especially in Egypt.
Aim: To assess structure, resources of Alexandria Poison Center (APC)
based on WHO criteria. To assess admission rates, identify demographic
characteristics of admitted patients and types of poisons incriminated.
Subject & Methods: Cross-sectional survey was carried out in Alexandria
Poison Center (observational checklist). Retrospective study: center
admission registries was reviewed to collect data throughout 2017 (transfer
sheet) ethical considerations: confidentiality of data was ensured all through
the study work. An approval from Alexandria faculty of medicine ethics
committee was obtained.
Results:In2017, 6171wereadmitted toAPCwithmeanageof 19±15yearsand
gender distribution was 55% females and 45% males. Patients admitted from
Alexandria governorate was 69.7%, from Elbehira 25% and few percentages
from other governorates. The rate of admission was higher in summer
time with two peaks at May and July, critical cases account for about 5% of
cases. Most of cases were accidental 63.2%, suicidal poisoning account for
36.8% of cases, the major route of poisoning was oral one 93.8%, a minimal
percentage for inhalation and skin exposure. As regard types of poisons drug
poisoning and organophosphates took the higher percent of cases 21.7%,
21.4% respectively then corrosives 12.3%, then food poisoning and sedative
abuse of 11% for each, poisoning by alcohol account for 5.5% of cases and
gas inhalation 2.3% of cases. 2.2% for animal and insect stings, and only 0.6%
of cases were opioid and cannabis abuse. The center has an adequate staff
including toxicologists, nurses and administrative staff covering 24 h daily
and seven days weekly, poison information center receives few numbers
of calls daily as most of patients adapted to come to emergency services
directly in case of poisoning. Laboratory devices are somewhat adequate
based mainly on immunoassays still lacking more confirmatory techniques
as chromatography. Toxicological units and intensive care units are well
prepared with all devices and drugs which are needed for care of poisoned
patients. Automated information systems are still under development, the
center was lacking poisoning prevention programs and plans for major
disasters.
Conclusion: APC carry the three functions of poison center that is clinical,
laboratory and information center services.
Maha Ghanem is a Professor of Forensic Medicine
and Clinical Toxicology since 2006, Egypt. She is
the Director of Alexandria Poison Center. She has
over 40 publications. She works as Chairperson of
Ethics Committee Faculty of Medicine – Alexandria
University. She was the General Secretary of the
Supreme Council of Health. She is a Member in many
committees as Eastern Mediterranean Association
of Medical Editors (EMAME) Egyptian Network of
Research Ethics Committees (ENREC). In 2015, she
became external evaluator of doctorate degrees
of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology and
master’s degrees of Forensic Medicine and Clinical
Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University and
Cairo University. She was chosen as an Associate
Editor in AJME, peer reviewer in Food and Chemical
Toxicity, Egyptian Heart Journal, peer reviewer in
SQUMJ, Human and Experimental Toxicology and
Editorial Manager and peer reviewer in Environmental
Science and Pollution Research.
BIOGRAPHY