Protocolls are essential. Treatment of paracetamol poisoning in the Netherlands

Paracetamol poisoning occurs frequently in the Netherlands. In order to study the way in which paracetamol poisonings are being treated in Dutch hospitals, a survey was sent to all Dutch hospital pharmacies, in which they were asked to sent their current protocol for the treatment of paracetamol poisoning. A total of 48 hospital pharmacies returned the survey, which corresponds to a response of 58%. This survey shows that on average each hospital pharmacy is confronted with 32 paracetamol poisonings a year (a total of 2500 poisonings a year in the Netherlands), of which about 16% are sufficiently serious to initiate treatment with acetylcysteine according to the treatment nomograms used. The protocols that were sent back, were judged on a number of criteria, that, in our opinion, were obligatory in a protocol. Thus, this study illustrates the current standard of Dutch protocols for the treatment of paracetamol poisoning. Improvements in many protocols in the fields of general information on paracetamol intoxications, the anamnesis, diagnostics and treatment are necessary. The results of this study can assist in improving the protocols