Organophosphate Poisoning in Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acute organophosphate poisoning is a significant cause of mortality in developing countries inchuding Thailand. The data from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital records showed that there were more than 100 organophosphate poisoning patients in each year. Mortality was more than 30 percent. Objective: To analyse the data of organophosphate poisoning patients and to determine the factors contibuting to mortality. Material and Methods: Organophosphate poisoning patients who were admitted at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital during 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004. Results: There were 118 organophosphate poisoning patients in study period. Only 99 medical records were available medical reconds. Mean age was 41.9±14.6 years. Seventy-nine (79.8%) of patients were referred by other hospitals. Fifty patients (51.5%) presented with respiratory failure before admission. Twenty percentage of patients died within 24 hours of admission whereas mortality rate was 48.5 % In death group founded old age, respiratory failure on admission, referred by another hospital, usage of antidote atropine and pralidoxime more than survival group with statistically significant. Conclusion: High mortalty rate in organophosphate poisoning patients is the major problem in from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. This affected by severity of patients, which most of them referred by community based hospital. The initial management and referral system guidcline for organophosphate poisoning patients need to develop in order to correct this problem.