@article{ref1,
title="Periodicity of presentations of drugs of abuse and overdose in an emergency department",
journal="Journal of toxicology - clinical toxicology",
year="1992",
author="Raymond, R. C. and Warren, Michelle and Morris, R. W. and Leikin, J. B.",
volume="30",
number="3",
pages="467-478",
abstract="In order to determine whether temporal factors impact on drugs of abuse and overdose presentations to an urban emergency department, we studied the records of 630 consecutive drug overdose presentations over a period from October 1987 to March 1990. Particular note was made of the time of day of presentation along with the nature of the drug(s) ingested. A significant curve (p less than 0.0005) was obtained for a 24 h period with a peak time of presentation being 6:32 pm (95% confidence interval of 1 h 54 min). Significant periodic rhythms were noted for cocaine, opiates, alcohol, analgesics, marijuana, and benzodiazepines. A 4.8 h periodic rhythm was demonstrated for cocaine, marijuana and alcohol-in-combination. We conclude that the emergency department should be most prepared to treat the drug overdose patient in the early evening and emergency department staffing should reflect this peak in demand.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0731-3810",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}