Abstract
To examine the characteristics of patients admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) after intentional drug overdose. Retrospective chart review, descriptive. Midwestern teaching hospital. Convenience sample of 43 patients admitted to the MICU after intentional drug overdose. Survival and disposition of those patients who survived and were discharged from the MICU. Ninety-five percent of the patients survived and were discharged from the MICU; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores ranged from 1 to 29 (mean, 8); Glascow Coma Scale scores ranged from 3 to 15 (mean 12.5); five patients were intubated and two patients had serious electrocardiograph changes requiring pharmacologic intervention for dysrhythmia. Neurologic findings were the best indicators of serious complications after drug overdose. THerefore, patients with a Glascow Coma Scale score of more than six, and who are not intubated, may not need admission to an intensive care unit.
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