Toxicological Analyses of Paracelsus

In 2000, acute poisoning was one of the leading causes of hospitalization in developed countries and of death among people under 30 in developing countries. In France, acute exposure to toxic substances-whether accidental or intentional-is a common reason for visits to the emergency department. The number of acute poisonings is steadily increasing; as a result, the "toxicological" workload is becoming increasingly heavy, leading to an overly systematic request for specialized tests. Collaboration between clinicians and laboratory professionals is therefore essential for better patient care: this exchange allows for a true pooling of diverse expertise. Toxicological testing in hospital settings was thus the focus of our work. We developed a computer module on Paracelse to present the various aspects of this discipline to the widest possible audience.