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ELECTRONIC CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR
Module I - 1997 Position Statements on Gut Decontamination
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the American Association of Poison Control Center’s electronic continuing education program for Specialists in Poison Information. This first fourteen day module will provide a review of the 1997 Position Statements on Gut Decontamination that were released by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists.
It is important to note that considerable controversy surrounds a number of points in these position statements. You should be aware that the AAPCC Board of Directors chose not to endorse the statements because of this controversy. It is likely that your center’s guidelines are different. Since health professionals calling your poison center may be familiar with the position statements, each SPI should be familiar with the differences between their center’s guidelines and the position statement recommendations.
These position statements were published in Clinical Toxicology, 35(7), 695-697 (1997).
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this electronic continuing education module, the participant will be
able to:
1. Describe common indications and contraindications for the use of ipecac syrup, gastric
lavage, activated charcoal and whole bowel irrigation.
2. Formulate a gastric decontamination plan for specific toxicities given the above indications
and contraindications.
3. Identify the recommended dosages for ipecac syrup, activated charcoal and whole bowel
irrigant as well as the correct tube size and fluid volume for gastric lavage.
4. Describe precautions regarding the use of ipecac syrup, activated charcoal, gastric lavage
and whole bowel irrigation.
5. Describe the role of cathartics in clinical toxicology practice.
AUTHOR
Daniel J. Cobaugh, PharmD
REVIEW PANEL
Peter Chyka, PharmD
Peter Ciancaglini, PharmD
Prashant Joshi, MD
Ruth Lawrence, MD
Christine Stork, PharmD
Desiree Voorhies, RN, MEd
Paul Wax, MD