Schneir Aaron B, Clark Richard F
Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California-San Diego Health System, San Diego, California 92103, USA.
J Emerg Med. 2013 Sep;45(3):358-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.03.018. Epub 2013 May 22.
The use of hand sanitizer is effective in preventing the transmission of disease. Many hand sanitizers are alcohol-based, and significant intoxications have occurred, often in health care facilities, including the emergency department (ED).
We present this case to highlight potential toxicity after the ingestion of an ethanol-based hand sanitizer.
A 36-year-old man presented to the ED with ethanol intoxication. Ethanol breath analysis was measured at 278 mg/dL. After 4 h, the patient was less intoxicated and left the ED. Thirty minutes later, he was found apneic and pulseless in the ED waiting room bathroom after having ingested an ethanol-based hand sanitizer. Soon after a brief resuscitation, his serum ethanol was 526 mg/dL. He never regained consciousness and died 7 days later. No other cause of death was found.
The case highlights the potential for significant toxicity after the ingestion of a product found throughout health care facilities. Balancing the benefit of hand sanitizers for preventing disease transmission and their potential misuse remains a challenge.
使用洗手液可有效预防疾病传播。许多洗手液是以酒精为基础的，并且已经发生了多起严重中毒事件，通常发生在包括急诊科（ED）在内的医疗机构。
我们报告此病例以强调摄入含乙醇洗手液后的潜在毒性。
一名36岁男性因乙醇中毒被送至急诊科。乙醇呼气分析测得为278mg/dL。4小时后，患者中毒症状减轻并离开急诊科。30分钟后，他在急诊科候诊室卫生间摄入含乙醇洗手液后被发现呼吸暂停且无脉搏。经过短暂复苏后不久，他的血清乙醇含量为526mg/dL。他一直未恢复意识，7天后死亡。未发现其他死因。
该病例凸显了在医疗机构随处可见的一种产品摄入后产生显著毒性的可能性。平衡洗手液在预防疾病传播方面的益处及其潜在的误用仍然是一项挑战。
