NIHR RIGHT4: PREVENTING DEATHS FROM ACUTE POISONING IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
Methanol poisoning poses a significant threat annually, particularly impacting marginalized communities. The urgency to enhance early detection is crucial, as effective treatment hinges upon prompt identification within a narrow 12-24 hour window. The complexity of diagnosing methanol poisoning, often mirroring various medical conditions, necessitates a transformative approach.
Our project focuses on the evaluation of a novel point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tool tailored to detect methanol poisoning from a mere drop of blood. Implemented in hospital settings in Bangladesh and India, this tool is utilized by healthcare professionals bedside for suspected methanol poisoning cases or unexplained metabolic acidosis.
Our primary objectives encompass examining the practicality, sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy of this POC test within diverse low and middle-income country settings. Integrating conventional efficacy research with field validation and social acceptability studies ensures its seamless integration into clinical practice. Data acquired from these evaluations will inform the design of a substantial cluster randomized controlled trial, aiming to ascertain the POC test's impact on enhancing therapy, reducing resource expenditure, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
This initiative endeavors to revolutionize the diagnostic landscape for methanol poisoning, potentially saving numerous lives by facilitating swifter and more accurate identification, particularly among vulnerable populations.