Guidelines for Emergency Departments

Management of Patients with Psychostimulant Toxicity: Guidelines for Emergency Departments

This resource was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

This resource provides guidelines to emergency departments for effectively and safely managing individuals who are experiencing problems related to the use of psychostimulants.

Summary: This resource provides guidelines for Emergency Department workers throughout Australia. The guidelines aim to provide information to assist in the management and treatment of individuals who may be affected by including such as crystal methamphetamine ('ice').

The guidelines are designed to help Emergency Departments to:

• Identify psychostimulant toxicity in patients
• Use a standardised sedation protocol to respond quickly and safely to psychostimulant toxicity
• Recognise and manage medical complications.

Developers: These guidelines were prepared by Linda Jenner, David Spain, Ian Whyte, Amanda Baker, Vaughan Carr and Julia Crilly on behalf of the Guidelines Development Working Party. The document was reviewed by emergency medical specialists, and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Year: 2006*

Costs: Free

Evidence base: This resource has undergone expert review. Refer to the guidelines for full reference list.

*Please note that while this resource was developed more than 10 years ago, it is the most recent evidence-based resource of its kind. If you have seen a newer resource on this topic, please let us know at info@cracksintheice.org.au.