The French Poison Control Center's computer system. Part II: Utilization of the French Poison Control Center data bank in the Marseilles Poison Control Center

The system used in the Marseilles Poison Control Center is discussed. Input of data on a daily basis and uses of these data for emergency (evaluation of a toxic situation) or for non-emergency (statistics, toxicity files) work is reviewed.     

Paperless Poison Center: an alternative to bubbling

The Paperless Poison Center (PPC) is a computer software program which allows for direct entering of data collection, data submission to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and on-site analysis of data using RBASE. A comparison of the computer collection system vs bubbling of AAPCC sheets is discussed as to speed and ease of use, accuracy and cost. A summary of our comparison concludes that the computerized system is cost effective, more efficient, and more accurate than the paper method. Poison Information Specialist (PIS) acceptance of the program has been overwhelmingly positive.     

PSIS: Poison Substance Information System, a proposal

The formation of a Poison Substance Information System (PSIS) using existing computer databases is proposed. This would be an inquiry/response search system using interactive data communications. Chemical codes are the essential data elements that link the databases. Product codes allow easy and accurate end-user access to the system. Ten component databases are described. Two of these form the core of any PSIS, the other eight are of a type that can be attached to the system. Some of the databases need modification so that they can be used in the PSIS. For the most part, the modifications provide a natural extension of the database's capability and would not be done solely for the purpose of incorporating the databases into the PSIS. It is concluded that information is available in existing databases, and it is possible, with some modification, to link them into a comprehensive online poison information retrieval system.     

Poison center planning for mass gatherings: the Georgia Poison Center experience with the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

BACKGROUND: The host city for the Olympic Games needs to prepare for "the world" to visit. This article is the first published report describing the impact of an event such as the Olympics on poison center services. PLANNING AND ACTIONS: We evaluated our operations and identified potential new demands. Operational aspects reviewed included: staffing; communication with foreign language callers; knowledge of international drug products; telephone access; procedures for disaster response and recovery; poison treatment protocols; and handling of hazardous material releases. We collaborated with local, state, and federal planners to delineate the poison center role and to develop protocols for use in a poisoning, including a hazardous material's release at a densely populated site. We enhanced our capability to respond to unusual incidents by forming new alliances. Fortunately, no such events occurred; these plans were therefore not tested. CONCLUSIONS: The Georgia Poison Center developed and implemented new capabilities for the Centennial Olympic Games. Immediate access to poison center resources would have facilitated the care of poisoned patients at multiple hospitals if this had become necessary. Communities preparing for mass gatherings should capitalize on the common interests of poison centers, hazardous materials specialists, and public safety agencies. Preparations should emphasize the most likely events, while recognizing the possibility of the unexpected. Planning an integrated response allows the talents and resources of participating agencies to be maximally utilized.     

The Poison Pen: Bedside Diagnosis of Urinary Diquat

Diquat is a bipyridyl herbicide with nephrotoxic effects. This in vitro study demonstrates a colorimetric test for detection of diquat in human urine. Urine specimens using ten concentrations of diquat herbicide solution and controls for urine and glyphosate were prepared. A two-step assay (addition of bicarbonate followed by sodium dithionite) was performed, with a resulting color change of the original solution for each specimen. Color change intensity was noted immediately and after 30 min, by gross visual inspection. A green color with concentration-dependent intensity was detected in all specimens, in which concentrations of diquat solution ranged from 0.73 to 730 mg/L. This colorimetric effect disappeared after 30 min. The sodium bicarbonate/dithionite test may be useful as a qualitative bedside technique for the detection of urinary diquat in the appropriate clinical setting.     

Poison control services in China

The following aspects are discussed: the public health problems of acute poisoning in China in recent years; the characteristics of acute poisoning; the negative effects of poison cases on the society and economy. The four stages of development of a poison control system in China are: (1) clinical hospital as the only facility used for detoxification; (2) institutes and hospitals of occupational medicine got involved in the program; (3) the traditional model of poison control changed to the modern National Poison Control Center (NPCC), and its network got established and it began to play a key role; (4) establishment of a multi-disciplinary network for dealing with emergencies in which chemical poison control is an important component. Introduction of the operations of the NPCC: the functions of the center are a 24h hotline service, clinical consultants service, poison identification and diagnosis, laboratory analysis, education for public, training for physicians, coordination of antidotes, and the development of a network of poison control centers for dealing with chemical emergencies. The work practice and achievement of NPCC and its network in the field of poison control during the last 3 years is discussed. Lessons from SARS infection: to extend the network, to strengthen multi-disciplinary cooperation, enhance communication between centers, to pay attention to capacity building, to improve reporting systems, and to share resources.     

Poison prevention in the elderly

Poison exposures in the elderly are largely unintentional and, therefore, amenable to prevention techniques. Based on an analysis of the major causes of unintentional exposures in persons age 60 years and older, injury control strategies are applied to poisoning. These strategies address pre-event, event, and post-event phases. Ideas for specific changes to protect the elderly, especially in the areas of labeling and packaging, are presented.     

Poison centers in America: how well do they perform

Marked differences in cell volume, service area, and center resources continue to exist between poison centers certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers as Regional Poison Centers and those not meeting these criteria. However, the present clinical significance, if any, of these factors remains unproven. The only previous study, conducted in 1980, used only 1 test problem and did not attempt to separately analyze each of the differences between Regional Poison Centers and Non-regional Poison Centers. This study solicited the participation of all 208 US poison centers existing. Fifty-four poison centers (REGIONAL CENTERS 16/34 = 47%, NON-REGIONAL CENTERS 38/173 = 22%) agreed to participate. Three problems were presented to each center by simulated callers. Considerable variation was observed in efficiency and in extent of information provided. Overall, Regional Centers provided complete and correct answers for 83% of the presented cases, while Non-regional Centers did so in 57% of the cases. Although Regional Center status, staff experience, center call volume, medical direction all appear to be important, the most predictive factors were staff and center experience.     

儿童误服药(毒)物中毒87例分析

目的:研究探讨儿童因误服药(毒)物中毒的情况以及加强家庭安全用药管理的对策。方法:选择2013年1月至2016年1月在我院进行诊治的误服药(毒)物中毒的患儿87例为研究对象,在对患儿进行救治后,对患儿及其家长进行调查,通过患儿病情的一般情况、实验室检查等分析儿童误服药(毒)物中毒的年龄分布以及误服药(毒)物的类别,并根据患儿的发病趋势分析家庭安全用药管理对策。结果:>2岁~4岁组患儿误服药(毒)物中毒的发生率(45.98%)明显高于其他年龄组。除药物外,误服农药也需引起重视。因误服药(毒)物中毒而导致住院治疗的患儿平均住院时间为5.54d。平均住院费用为8 269.8元。结论:儿童常由于误服药(毒)物而造成意外中毒,尤以>2岁~4岁的儿童发生率较高。家长需加强对家庭中常用药(毒)物的管理,降低患儿意外误服药(毒)物的发生率,减少患儿意外伤害事件的发生。