a point of meth.
By impactEDnurse • Feb 2nd, 2007 • Category: clinical skills, ectopicsThe Australian National Council on Drugs has released a position paper (pdf) on the use and management of methamphetamines.
Over 500, 000 Australians over the age of 14 years have used methamphetamines in the last 12 months, and it is estimated that 73,000 are now addicted, with 50 deaths a year directly attributed to its effects.
With usage on a rapid rise, strategies for effective and safe management of these patients; who may present with complex symptoms of psychosis, violence and/or life threatening medical complications, should be explored in your own ED with some urgency.
I have recently written about some of the challenges of safely managing patients with psycho stimulant toxicity.
impactEDnurse is also known as Ian Miller, a nurse with over 26 years experience working in a busy emergency department in, Australia. This site in no way reflects the opinions of that hospital.
All stories (although based on actual experiences) have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
Email this author | All posts by impactEDnurse
Horrible problem in my community, I wrote about this today also. We are seeing more and more patients in a state of agitated delirium from this drug and the effects are permanent, even if the user manages to quit.