Toxicology handbook 2nd Edition
Frank Daly
MBBS, FACEM, Consultant Clinical Toxicologist, Emergency Physician and Director of Clinical Service Redesign, Royal Perth Hospital; Professor in Emergency Medicine; University of Western Australia; Consultant Clinical Toxicologist, WA and NSW Poisons Information Centres, Australia
Mark Little
MBBS, DTM&H(Lond), FACEM, MPH&T IDHA, Consultant Emergency Physician and Clinical Toxicologist, Royal Perth Hospital; Clinical Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia; Consultant Clinical Toxicologist, WA and NSW Poisons Information Centres, Australia
Mike Cadogan
MA(Oxon), MBChB, FACEM, Consultant Emergency Physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Emergency Department, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia
Lindsay Murray
MB, BS, FACEM, Consultant Emergency Physician and Clinical Toxicologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA; Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia
Churchill Livingstone Elsevier 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7295-3939-5
Type and scope of book
This book is an essential reference resource for any emergency department either big or small. All staff in both medical and nursing disciplines will find this an easy to read book. The book is able to apply the comprehensive information that can be used in the practical setting with little difficulty.
An Australia approach and experience with common venomous species of spiders, snakes and jellyfish is included. It does not limit its use exclusively for Australia as the vast and varied toxins listed, that are encountered worldwide.
The book is well written and referenced. The book includes an overview of the management and diagnosis of the poisoned patient. Specific considerations are given from a toxicological perspective as well as thorough listings of toxins, antidotes, envenomation and anti venoms.
Contents
A total of six chapters with additional appendices.
Chapter 1: Approach to the poisoned patient
This includes an overview, resuscitation, risk assessment, supportive care and monitoring as well as specific investigations and decontamination techniques.
Chapter 2: Specific considerations
From the extremes of age to chemical and biological exposures, this chapter guides you through case by case specific requirements.
Chapter 3: Specific toxins
An Alcohol to Warfarin encyclopaedic quick list of toxins. The chapter is in alphabetical order with logical sequence and easy to follow guides on the specific toxin. Some of the headings found under each toxin include risk assessment, toxic mechanism, toxicokinetics, clinical features, management, useful tips and pitfalls.
Chapter 4: Antidotes
Also listed alphabetically the antidote chapter includes drug presentations, indications from a toxicological requirement, contraindications, administration, therapeutic end points as well as adverse drug reactions and pitfalls.
Chapter 5: Envenomings
This is Australia specific with some of the most deadly Australian animals listed. From land to sea this list includes subspecies, animal characteristic and distribution, toxins within the venom as well as management, investigations and differential diagnosis.
Chapter 6: Antivenoms
Courtesy of Central Serum Laboratories (CSL) we have antivenom at our disposal and here this chapter explains nine of these with presentation, indication and management keys points.
Appendices: A list of useful numbers, ECG appearances, conversion tables and pathways to assist with identification, diagnosis and treatment of the toxicology patient.
Strengths
This compact concise book is well structured with good flow and despite its size holds a wealth of very pertinent information for the emergency clinician. The structure throughout is conducive for reading and problem solving in even the most stressful of circumstance.
The use of tables, charts and pathways are useful for quick visual reference and provide more than just a brief overview. At the end of each key section within this book there is references, thus allowing the reader to further explore the parent material.
With an Australian team behind this book there is no need for translation from paper to practise as is seen in foreign books, thus application is time specific and can be utilised by the first time reader.
The second edition page used of the striking green colour and chapter listing make it easy to navigate. The book link with www.studentconsult.com opens up a world of on-line reference material.
Deficiencies
As the book is soft covered the durability of the book may be tested, wear and tear will possibly prematurely take a tole. Also some pictures of the specific poison forms, plants or animals to assist in identification would be of use. It is often the patient will be accompanied by the source and the trick is to pick the poison.
Recommended Readership
This book hails from some of the best toxicological minds Australia has to showcase and can be considered a key resource for any personal or departmental library. There is useful application for all nurses and particularly for the emergency nurse who is faced potentially daily by the toxicological emergency.
Overall Rating
Excellent, while I already own the first edition I will definitely see fit to invest in the second.
Enjoy…