Overdose Guide (Paediatric)

Status
Suspected overdose
Assess
Substance involved

Narcotics - Heroin - Morphine - Codeine - Other narcotic preparations			TCA Anti depressants - Amitriptyline - Nortriptyline - Dothiepin			Sedatives - GHB - Alcohol - Benzodiazepines - Volatile agents			Psycho stimulants - Cocaine - Amphetamines
See Overdose: Narcotics			See Overdose: TCA Anti depressants			See Overdose: Sedative Agents / Psycho stimulants

General Care

Provide Supportive Care (all cases) - Provide appropriate airway management and ventilatory support - If Pt is in an altered conscious state, assess BGL and if necessary manage as per Hypoglycaemia - If Pt is bradycardic with poor perfusion manage as per Bradycardia - If Pt is inadequately perfused, manage as per Hypovolaemia - Assess Pt temp. and manage as per Hypothermia/Cold Exposure , or Environmental Hyperthermia / Heat Stress

Confirm clinical evidence of substance use or exposure - Identify which substance/s are involved and collect if possible. - Identify by which route the substance/s had been taken (e.g. ingestion). - Establish the time the substance/s were taken. - Establish the amount of substance/s taken. - What were the substance/s mixed with when taken (e.g.: alcohol, water)? - What treatment has been initiated prior to Ambulance arrival (e.g. induced vomiting)?