[Role and duties performed by a toxicologic laboratory in diagnosis of acute poisoning]

In late 1960's in Poland the problem of acute poisonings was separated from the others and found very important by itself. In consequence many toxicological centres were founded where toxicological laboratories were opened to make toxicological analyses. To make laboratory work more effective the analyst ought to enter into dialogue with the clinicist. Nowadays more often the analyst is expected to be an active not passive member of the team engaged in the process of treatment. Development of modern analytical methods enables improvement of clinical toxicological analytics. Toxicological analyst is obliged to fulfil many tasks which are imposed upon him by the clinicist; that is, to determine properly and as quickly as possible toxic substances especially in case of "complex poisoning", and to make qualitative and quantitative analyses which help to institute appropriate treatment. The analyst ought to choose proper analytical method very carefully and take also into account its purpose and usefulness. Economic approach to the method plays an important role too. Unfortunately, it is still underestimated in Poland. For toxicological analyst further development of analytical methods which can make his work easier, is of great importance. The same value for the analyst has close co-operation with the clinicist.