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"Might I suggest that for common poisons the lab be the source of advice to clinicians" Dear Mike, This not easy. Never mind the local lab. I am not sure how often the other poison units are contacted.Wards/ A&Es tend ALWAYS to contact Guy's unit first. The centre appears to fax back details of the management of the 'poison in question, following which the local lab is asked to follow the advice given. Hopefully when the National Poison Unit web site is up and running we could also have an access to information given or question anything that appears to be unrealistic. =========================================== Ahmed Waise FRCP FRCPath Cosultant Chemical Pathologist Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorks DL6 1JG Tel 01609 763030 Fax 01609 764632 EMail: [log in to unmask] ========================================== > ---------- > From: Mike Addison[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Reply To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: 02 August 1999 11:01 > To: [log in to unmask] > Cc: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: thyroxine OD > > Yet another blinder from Guys!! Besides measurement of FT4 what > else did they suggest. Treatment would surely be symptomatic > and the FT4 could easily wait until the next day. Guys, although > they will deny this, seem to suggest that in any suspected > poisoning the substance should be measured whether or not there > is any specific treatment or any known dose response. They also > put pressure on inquirers to get the measurement done as soon as > possible and if analysis is not available locally will offer to > perform > them at Guys. As Dr Blumsohn suggests this type of advice puts > tremendous psychological pressure on those consulting them and > there may be legal difficulties if Guy's advice is not followed to the > > letter. > > There is a book out there for someone to edit a selection of Guys > stories. > > Might I suggest that for common poisons the lab be the source of > advice to clinicians. Most of it is straight forward and there really > is > no need for a medic to ring a poisons unit for simple paracetamol > overdose etc. On the other hand Guys and the other poisons units > (yes there are some) are essential for advice on the less commonly > taken substances. > Dr G.Michael Addison > Royal Manchester Children's Hospital > Pendlebury > Manchester M27 4HA > United Kingdom > > Tel 0161-727-2250(AM)or 0161-220-5342(PM) > FAX 0161-727-2249 > Email [log in to unmask] >