Snake bite and spider bite management

For advice on the management of snakebite and spider bite patients call the Toxinology Service, Women's & Children's Hospital on (08) 8161 7000 and ask for the duty toxinologist. If unavailable call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26

Seek early consultation with your critical care referral network.

Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU Retrieval: (08) 8222 4000
Women's & Children's Hospital: (08) 8161 7000

Management guidelines

Snake bite & Spider bite Management Guidelines South Australia (PDF 2.2MB) – Information on the management of snakebite, spider bite and marine envenoming and poisoning. The document includes details on identifying various snakes, spiders and other arthropods and recommended antivenom stocks for South Australian public hospitals.

Snake bite Management Chart (PDF 685KB) – Flowchart outlining the treatment of suspected snake bite.

Red Back Spider bite Management Flowchart (PDF 622KB) – Flowchart outlining the diagnosis and treatment of suspected Red Back spider bite.

Diagnostic algorithms

Snake bite Diagnostic Algorithms (PDF 1.7MB) – Flowchart for determining the most likely snake based on clinical findings.

Hospital laboratory staff resources

Snake bite and spider bite information for hospital laboratory staff (PDF 167KB) – Information on the major laboratory tests required.

Toxinology

Clinical Toxinology Resources website – A premier site for information on venomous animals and poisonous animals, plants and mushrooms. The site is maintained by the Toxinology Department, Women’s & Children’s Hospital (WCH), Adelaide, Australia, a foremost centre for clinical toxinology globally, together with the Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, and support from experts around the world.

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Last updated: 15 Mar 2023

Snake bite and spider bite management

Management guidelines

Diagnostic algorithms

Hospital laboratory staff resources

Toxinology

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