What is the recommended observation time to watch body stuffers in the emergency department if they are asymptomatic?
A retrospective review of 106 patients after cocaine body stuffing found no life threatening complications after a 6 hour observation period. In another case series, body stuffers with exposures to multiple xenobiotics also supported the safety of a 6 hour observation period.
Moreira M, et al. Validation of a 6-hour observation period for cocaine body stuffers. Am J Emerg Med. 2001;29:299–303
Yamamoto T, et al. Management of body stuffers presenting to the emergency department. Eur J Emerg Med. 2016;23:425–429.
Submitted by: Natasha Tobarran, DO on behalf of The Medical Toxicology Fellowship, Virginia Commonwealth University