Duties of Doctor in Case of Suspected Poisoning

Abstract

Duties of registered medical practitioner (RMP)while dealing a suspected poisoning case increases as it is a medical emergency along with the legal issues associated with it. The role of doctor is not only to follow a basic management protocol, but also to handle the legal formalities, following the treatment part. The basic treatment modalities should be supportive care, accurate diagnosis, use of toxidromes, removal of unabsorbed poison, elimination of absorbed poison and antidote administration if available. The legal documentation, following treatment should be clear and accurate. Police information should be given where necessary. The doctor is duty bound to all other legal and ethical work, concerning a poisoning case otherwise liable for punishment as per the current law. So, by applying our skill and knowledge and doing our duty correctly, we doctor not only save the life of the patients but also protect the legal rights of individual or the state. Role of doctor in dealing with a poisoning case is doubled in respect to the patient and also to the state. Keeping in mind the prime duty of a doctor which is better management of patient never omit the legal duty, which the doctor must do. The doctor therefore must fulfill both the medical as well as the medicolegal duties that he owes to the patient and State.