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HOME > J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol > Volume 11(1); 2013 > Article
The Experiences of the Emergency Antidote Stock and Delivery Service by the Korean Poison Information Center
So Young Park, Bum Jin Oh, Chang Hwan Sohn, Ru Bi Jeong, Kyoung Soo Lim, Won Kim, Seung Mok Ryoo,
Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology 2013;11(1):9-18
DOI: https://doi.org/
Published online: June 30, 2013
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1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
2Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
3Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
4Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
5Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
6Department of Emergency Medicine, Cheju Halla General Hospital
7Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical
8The research society for emergency antidotes stock and delivery system in Korea

Purpose: Antidotes for toxicological emergencies can be life-saving. However, there is no nationwide stocking and delivery system for emergency antidotes in Korea. We report on a two-year experience of a nationwide stocking and delivery trial for emergency antidotes at emergency departments in Korea. Methods: An expert panel of clinical toxicologists reviewed and made a list of 15 stocked antidote. These antidotes were purchased or imported from other countries and delivered from 14 antidote stocking hospitals nationwide 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Results: From August 1, 2011 to April 30, 2013, 177 patients with acute poisoning, with a median age of 48.5 years, were administered emergency antidotes. The causes of poisoning were intentional in 52.0% and 88.0% were intentional as a suicide attempt. Regarding clinical severity, using the poisoning severity score, 40.7% of patients had severe to fatal poisoning and 39.0% had moderate poisoning according to clinical severity. The most frequent presenting symptom was neurologic deficit, such as altered mentality (62.7%). alerted mentality (62.7%). Emergency antidotes were administered as follows: methylene blue (49 cases), flumazenil (31), N-acetylcysteine (25), glucagon (17), 100% ethanol (15), cyanide antidote kit (12), anti-venin immunoglobulin (5), pyridoxine (4), hydroxocobalamine (2), and deferoxamine (1). The median time interval from antidote request to delivery at the patient's bedside was 95 minutes (interquartile range 58.8-125.8). Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated the possibility of successful operation of the nationwide system of emergency antidotes stocking and delivery in Korea.

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JKSCT : Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology