[What should be done if a patient refuses treatment after self- poisoning?]

Abstract

Three women aged 28, 30 and 39 years, attending an emergency room because of attempted suicide by means of an overdose of drugs, refused somatic treatment considered necessary: one refused gastric lavage and two refused to remain in the hospital. After explanation of the procedure, one patient left the clinic without treatment and one agreed to admission--both were subsequently treated in the outpatient department. One patient agreed to giving a blood sample, after which she could leave the hospital without risk of somatic complications--two days later she agreed to admission for further treatment. Obligatory gastric lavage after (auto)intoxication is possible under the Medical Treatment Agreement Act (WGBO) and should follow its rules. However, this may be avoided by using a laboratory test or ECG for the diagnosis and administration of activated charcoal and a laxative for the treatment.