Guidelines for Paramedics

Management of Patients with Psychostimulant Toxicity: Guidelines for Ambulance Services

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

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

Summary: This resource provides guidelines for ambulance services throughout Australia. The guidelines aim to provide information to assist in the effective and safe management of individuals who may be affected by including such as crystal methamphetamine ('ice'). The guidelines are designed to help paramedics to:

• Respond to individuals thought to be under the influence of psychostimulants, including ice
• Identify psychostimulant toxicity in patients
• Use a standardised sedation protocol to respond quickly and safely to psychostimulant toxicity.

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 ambulance service specialists and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

Year: 2006

Costs: Free

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