Emergency department poisoning visits in children younger than 6 years: comparing referrals by a regional poison control center to referrals by other sources.

Objective: The study purpose was to compare medical appropriateness and costs of regional poison control center (RPCC) versus non-RPCC referrals to children's hospital emergency department (ED) for acute poison exposure.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of children (<6 years) during an 8-month period, who presented for poison exposure. Demographic and clinical patient characteristics were abstracted onto a uniform data form.

Effects on a Poison Center's (PC) triage and follow-up after implementing the no Ipecac use policy.

For years, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) had supported home use of syrup of Ipecac. However, due to mounting evidence that Ipecac use did not improve outcome nor reduce Emergency Department (ED) referrals, the AAP in November of 2003 issued a statement that Ipecac not be used for the home management of poison ingestion. To determine if the cessation of the use of Ipecac for home ingestions is associated with an increased number of follow-up calls, an increased time of observation at home and an increase in the number of ED referrals for care by poison center staff were administered.

Descriptive epidemiology of infant ingestion calls to a regional poison control center.

Objective: This study was designed to describe the epidemiology of ingestions in infants 6 months of age or younger.

Methods: A retrospective chart review from a convenience sample of poison center cases in infants younger than 6 months of age from December 28, 2002, to December 28, 2003, was reviewed.

Results: A total of 358 cases were reviewed.