Intoxication of poisonous gases in prehospital emergency care

Toxicology is a scientific discipline dealing with the influences of dangerous substances on living organisms. The negative effects of some substances have been known since the prehistoric times and the human race has had to face them until today. The impact of these substances on human organisms may be caused either deliberately (e. g. misuse of chemical substances during war conflicts) or unintentionally (e. g. intoxication by poisonous gases released from fire). The current knowledge of the field of toxicology enable to characterise the dangerous substances, to define their effective, toxic and lethal doses and concentrations and to give first aid to the people affected. The knowledge of the first aid procedure in case of intoxication of poisonous gases is crucial for the rescue of human life and moderation of the toxic effects. In connection to the universal first aid procedure, i. e. the patient's rescue out of the contaminated area and calling of the rescue service, the person affected has to receive an adequate immediate pre-hospital care. Based on these findings, procedures used in cases of intoxication in pre-hospital emergency care and emergency medicine are listed. The aim of the theoretical part of this diploma thesis is a comprehensive overview of current theoretical and professional knowledge in the field of chemistry, toxicology and emergency medicine. This knowledge is subsequently applied to the overall management of pre-hospital emergency care for patients intoxicated with toxic gases. The research part includes a retrospective statistical analysis of the number of cases of carbon monoxide intoxication in Vysocina Region, application of theoretical knowledge in the form of analyses of cases of intoxication and creation of a preventive programme with the help of a questionnaire survey which asked the public about their awareness of the risks and dangers of carbon monoxide. In addition, educational material was created. The thesis also tried to answer the research question "How serious is poisonous gas intoxication in pre-hospital emergency care and emergency medicine?" From the point of view of pre-hospital emergency care, the average daily death rate caused by poisonous gas intoxications in the Vysocina Region is four patients per year. When this number is compared with the total number of patients' deaths, it shows a less serious problem. The most common source of carbon monoxide poisoning turned out to be a gas appliance. The rescuers recorded the highest number of carbon monoxide detector activations in 2015. Informing the public in the form of a questionnaire survey has clearly shown that there is persisting confusion of carbon monoxide properties with carbon dioxide ones. This diploma thesis is aimed at specialists providing pre-hospital emergency care i. e. health rescue services and also fire rescue services for the purpose of statistical comparisons with other providers and subjects, or for educational purposes in the context of crisis preparedness. In addition, the work is recommended to the general public to ensure greater awareness of poisonous gas intoxications. This thesis brought a comprehensive overview of this issue which can be used for the purpose of informing, educating and creating the basis for further comparison