The Tox Course Podcast

Snakebite - Geoff Isbister, Ingrid Berling, Nick Dafters, Andy Buck

This podcast is a preview for the much anticipated Tox Course Module 4 - Bites, stings and envenomation, soon to be released at etmonline.com
In this episode we are joined by our expert guest, Professor Geoff Isbister.  Geoff is head of the Clinical Toxicology Research Group at the University of Newcastle and is a world leading expert on Venom and Antivenom Research, having published over 340 original research publications on these topics.
In this episode we discuss:
The Australian Snakebite Project, the epidemiology of snakebites in Australia and the practice changing impacts the A.S.P. is having on the modern clinical management of snakebite
Venom detection kits or VDK's, the reasons these are actually being phased out in a lot of places and may actually disapper altogether
What to do with snakes and spiders that get brought to the ED
A wide range of interesting and occult ways people can present after a snakebite, including collapse, syncope and seizures, as well as some of the more subtle, interesting and humorous ways that people have run into trouble with snakes
This is a great episode packed with practical pearls from one of the world leaders in the field of snakebite research. If you want to learn more about toxicology/toxinology in general, or spefically about how to treat the full range of Australian poisonous-creature related presentations from Professor Isbister, check out Module  4 of the Tox Course at etmonline.com

Body Stuffers - Ingrid Berling, Nick Dafters

This is the second of a 2-part series on "Packers and Stuffers". In this episode Andy, Ingrid and Nick discuss body stuffing, or  desperate drug concealment in the real world. We pulled this content from Module 2 of the Tox Course at ETM Online as we felt it was so valuable we should release it for free. If you haven't already, head over to ETM Online and check out modules 1, 2 and 3 of the Tox Course now!

Body Packers - Ingrid Berling, Nick Dafters

This is the first of a 2-part series on "Packers and Stuffers". In this episode Andy, Ingrid and Nick discuss the process of managing a patient suspected of body packing (ingestion of large quantities of drugs for the purpose of smuggling) in the ED.  We pulled this content from Module 2 of the Tox Course at ETM Online as we felt it was so valuable we should release it for free. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and you can catch the next episode on body stuffers as well! If you haven't already, head over to ETM Online and check out modules 1, 2 and 3 of the Tox Course now!

Acute Behavioural Disturbance in the ED - Ingrid Berling, Nick Dafters

In this episode we take a deep dive into assessing and managing acute behavioural disturbances that intoxicated patients frequently present with. We cover safety and security, medico-legal issues, capacity and consent, how to run a code grey/black, physical restraint, the extreme risk associated with prone restraint and medical assessment of these patients. If you enjoyed this episode, check out the Tox Course at etmonline.com

Martin Dutch - Festival Medicine and Severe Serotonin/Sympathomimetic Toxicity

In this episode we talk to Dr Martin Dutch, Emergency Physician and one of the most experienced doctors in Australia in the emerging field of "mass gathering medicine" (or as we like to call it "festival medicine"!). Martin gives us an in-depth view of how medical care at music festivals has evolved over the last two decades, then we take a deep dive into the management of one of the scariest medical conditions Emergency care providers can be faced with: the young, severely hyperthermic, critically unwell serotonergic/sympathomimetic toxicity patient. This is a sphincter-tightening situation for even the most experienced clinicians, and Martin walks us through his approach on how to successfully manage and then safely transport these patients from festival to hospital. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who may treat substance affected patients, and could literally help you one-day save a life that hangs in the balance.
References:
Martin and his team have published a case series of these patients, it's a fascinating read: Characteristics, presentation and outcomes of music festival patrons with stimulant drug-induced serotonin toxicity. 
A more sobering read on music festival related deaths in Australia was also published recently: Drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals. 
If you enjoyed the podcast check out the Tox Course at ETM Online
Also check out our new free toxicology blog at toxcourse.com

The Tox System in Australia - Ingrid Berling, Nick Dafters

Welcome to the first episode of the new Tox Course Podcast. In this episode Clinical Toxicologist Dr Ingrid Berling and Emergency Physician Dr Nick Dafters discuss the Poisons Information Centre and Clinical Toxicology services in Australia.
If you enjoyed the podcast check out the Tox Course at ETM Online
Also check out our new free toxicology blog at toxcourse.com
Links:
TAPNA – Toxicology And Poisons Network Australasia
Virtual Toxicology Service decreases the average length of stay of poisoned patients and saves bed days
Poisons Information Services:
NSW
VIC
WA
QLD
SA