Introduction: Between early March 2020 and the end of May 2020, Italy issued strict measures to limit further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and became the first European country that imposed a lockdown on the population. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of these restricted conditions on the activity of the Poison Control Center (PCC) of Policlinico Umberto I Hospital-Sapienza University of Rome.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of calls received by the PCC during the lockdown period March 9, 2020 through May 31, 2020 compared to the same time period in year 2019 (reference).

Results: We observed a reduction in calls from hospitals and emergency departments and an increase in calls from private citizens about exposures to products or intoxications during the lockdown. There were increases in unintentional exposures and exposures to hand and surface sanitizers among household and cleaning products. There was a decrease in calls concerning medications, which were mostly from hospitals and emergency departments. We observed increases in exposures requiring clinical observations among adults and referral to the emergency department among pre-school children.

Conclusions: Public health protection measures against COVID-19 to improve hygiene and maintain clean environments can increase exposures to hazardous products in the domestic environment. We observed an increase in unintentional exposures to household and cleaning products during the lockdown and an increase in ED referrals for pre-school children compared to the previous year. Our data suggest the need for improvements in public campaigns that promote safer handling of household products and prevent unnecessary exposures during a lockdown. The public health promotion activity can benefit the community after the pandemic and prepare the community for lockdowns in the future.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8077858PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13181-021-00839-2DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

retrospective analysis
8
poison control
8
control center
8
emergency departments
8
unintentional exposures
8
household cleaning
8
public health
8
exposures
7
calls
5
0
5

Similar Publications

Ophthalmic Complications Associated With the Antidiabetic Drugs Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.

JAMA Ophthalmol

January 2025

John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City.

Importance: Nearly 2% of the US population received a prescription for semaglutide in 2023. There has been a recent concern that this drug and other similar medications may be associated with ophthalmic complications.

Objective: To report ophthalmic complications associated with the use of semaglutide or tirzepatide.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aims to evaluate the implementation of concomitant CAD assessment on pre-TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) planning CTA (CT angiography) aided by CT-FFR (CT-fractional flow reserve) [The CT2TAVI protocol] and investigates the incremental value of CT-FFR to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) alone in the evaluation of patients undergoing CT2TAVI. This is a prospective observational real-world cohort study at an academic health system on consecutive patients who underwent CTA for TAVI planning from 1/2021 to 6/2022. This represented a transition period in our health system, from not formally reporting CAD on pre-TAVI planning CTA (Group A) to routinely reporting CAD on pre-TAVI CTA (Group B; CT2TAVI protocol).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Herein, we aimed to examine the relationship between sarcopenia, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients (87 males) diagnosed with cT1N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The included patients underwent CRT as an initial treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) due to a parathyroid adenoma stands as one of the most prevalent endocrinological disorders, with focused parathyroidectomy being the established therapeutic strategy.

Aim: This study aims to investigate whether the volume of the pathological gland influences perioperative outcomes and postoperative morbidity.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 141 patients who underwent focused parathyroidectomy for PHPT at the University Hospital of Basel between 2007 and 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm abnormality, is linked to a higher risk of stroke. Traditionally, warfarin has been the primary anticoagulation treatment for reducing the stroke risk. The new standard of treatment by direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) offers greater benefits including improved efficacy and fewer adverse effects with reduced monitoring.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!