Hospital lethality in acute poisonings in the toxicology clinic of emergency medicine Institute 'Pirogov' for the period 2001-2005.

Acute poisoning is a sudden and potentially life threatening damage of human health, characterised by quick dynamics and high lethality. The death rate and the lethality from acute poisonings vary between countries and depend on the complex action of various medico-social factors. We have studied the hospital lethality from acute exogenous intoxications in the Toxicology Clinic of Emergency Medicine Institute "Pir ogov", Sofia, Bulgaria for 5 years period--2001-2005. We have monitored the lethality according to age and types of poisonings, as well as its relationship to the length of hospital stay and the complications occurred. The data from the other two Toxicology Departments in the country have also been taken into consideration in the analysis of the figures. The main reasons for the unfavourable outcome as well as the patients with the highest risk are analysed. Measures for diminishing of hospital lethality are discussed.