Poison information Center

Poison information centers. Regional Medical Centers can play this role. 

Case reports describe a particular effect observed in an individual or a group of individuals in which an exposure to a substance has occurred, often accidentally or in suicidal attempts. Information can be obtained from published case reports or from poison information centers. 

Note A computerized poison information center is operated by the FDA in Washington, DC. The National Clearinghouse for Poison Information Centers is located at 5401 Westbard Ave., Bethesda, MD 20016. 

The AACT unites scientists and clinicians in the advancement of research, education, and prevention of diseases caused by chemicals, drugs, and other toxins. Today, the AACT is an international organization whose membership comprises clinical and research toxicologists, physicians, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists, analytical chemists, industrial hygienists, poison information center specialists, and allied professionals. 

The pharmacist provides drug information and intravenous compatibility information to the ICU team and uses the regional poison information center when indicated. 

However, the large number of centers flourished until healthcare reform (and associated cost containment) occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s, resulting in significant attrition among poison centers. Today there are only 69 PICs, 54 of which are AAPCC Certified Regional Poison Information Centers. 

There are two types of PICs in the United States— AAPCC Certified Regional Poison Information Centers (RPICs) and nonregional centers. All centers that chose not to participate in the voluntary certification process or fail to become certified are defined as nonregional centers. (See Appendix 1 for the complete description of the AAPCC certification criteria.) In summary, RPICs do the following ... 

THE NATION S CERTIFIED REGIONAL POISON INFORMATION CENTERS... 

Foster a better understanding of the principles and practice of clinical toxicology in order to prevent poisoning and to promote better care for the poisoned patient, particularly through poison information centers and poison treatment centers. 

APPENDIX 1 AAPCC REGIONAL POISON INFORMATION CENTER CERTIFICATION CRITERIA... 

The Rhubarb Compendium. Rhubarb Poison Information Center. http //www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb poison.html (accessed on October 23, 2005). 

K3. Kalkan, S., Erdogan, A., Aygoren, O., Capar, S., and Tuncok, Y., Pesticide poisonings reported to the drug and poison information center in Izmir, Turkey. Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 45, 50-52 (2003). 

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