Poisonings in Germany : Poisons Centres, Medical Management and National Monitoring

Abstract

Illnesses caused by exposure to extracorporeal artificial substances play a major role in emergency medicine, family medicine, and environmental medicine. The current situation of medical poisoning management and national reporting of poisonings in Germany are described. The information and data presented here are derived from a literature review and from stakeholder interviews. Eight poison centres (PCs) offer consultation supporting the diagnosis and treatment of poisoning cases in Germany today. Furthermore, those affected, their relatives and first aiders contact these German PCs, mainly because of asuspected poisoning. German PCs are also contacted by those affected and by institutions in other situations when expert toxicological judgement is needed, especially in cases with an environmental background. Often, interpretation of analytical laboratory results of body fluid samples or environmental samples are requested, or reference to environmental medicine treatment facilities is made. The PCs and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) cooperate on the national reporting of the risks of poisoning for the population. In addition, the BfR collects and evaluates poisoning reports from German medical doctors that have been directly submitted. Apilot project on anational monitoring of poisonings should collate future case reports. Anextensive and current overview of poisonings in Germany is aprerequisite for the identification of unsafe products and to fully comply with the international reporting needs of the German Federal Government in the case of chemical outbreaks and the resulting suspected cases.