In this first of a 2-part series, James talks to Associate Professor Andrew Dawson on the toxicology assessment of a patient presenting with a polypharmacy overdose in the Emergency Department. You can listen to Toxicology Part 2 – Treatment here, which focuses on how to manage a drug overdose and toxicology patients.
Summary Writer: George McClintock
Editor: James Edwards
Interviewee: Andrew Dawson
Associate Professor Andrew Dawson is a physician who has specialised in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology for the past 28 years. His experience ranges from working in primary rural hospitals and public health in Asia to large teaching hospitals in Australia. Andrew is currently a clinical toxicologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Clinical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre. He is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine for Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney and Conjoint Professor for the Schools of Medicine at the University of Western Sydney and University of NSW. Additionally, Andrew is a Visiting Professor of Medicine at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
With Professor Andrew Dawson, Toxicologist and Clinical Professor of Addiction Medicine at Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia
Most junior doctor’s main interaction with toxicology is in the Emergency Department.
You are a junior doctor and asked to see a 22-year-old female who presents to the Emergency Department. The triage note documents a polypharmacy overdose. She is a little drowsy, but apart from a pulse of 110, her vital signs are within normal limits.
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