[Toxico-surveillance at Emergency Department: First Annual Report]

The purpose of this study was to investigate poisoning causes, symptoms, and treatment, as well as the prognosis for patients with intoxication in emergency departments. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency presented the results of toxico-surveillance conducted in 15 emergency medical facilities from June 22, 2022 to May 23, 2023. A total of 5,997 poisoning cases were recorded, with the highest incidence among people in their 20s (19.0%). Therapeutic drugs were involved in 51.5% of the cases, with single substance exposure and oral ingestion accounting for 71.4% and 70.2%, respectively. The most common post-intoxication symptoms were cardiovascular manifestations, including changes in blood pressure and pulse rate (n=10,507). Treatment modalities included general treatment in 2,127 cases, specialized drug removal therapy in 135 cases, intensive care in 1,514 cases, and antidote administration in 1,314 cases. The rates of gastric lavage and activated charcoal administration were 24.5% and 25.4%, respectively, for intentional poisoning cases (n=362). The rate of flumazenil use for benzodiazepine poisoning was 23.9% (n=876). Hyperbaric oxygen treatment was used in 64.6% of severe carbon monoxide poisoning cases (COHb>25%, n=99). Finally, the rate of antivenom serum administration was 69.9% for snakebites (n=93). Severe poisoning was diagnosed in 45.8% of the cases. The general hospitalization rate was 15.4%, and the intensive care unit admission rate was 16.9%. The all-cause mortality rate was 1.7%. Pesticides were the leading substances identified in deaths (n=61, 59.8%), with 60.8% of deaths occurring in individuals aged 70 years and older. This study provides valuable insights for improving poisoning management and informing regarding poisoning prevention and care policies.