Poison Control Center
Poli=
cy:
The state poison center should be utilized by the 911 ce=
nter
and responding EMS services to obtain
assistance with the prehospital triage and treatment of patients who have a
potential or actual poisoning.
Purp=
ose:
The
purpose of this policy is to:
- Improve
the care of patients with poisonings, envenomations, and environmental=
/
biochemical terrorism exposures in the prehospital setting.=
- Provide
the most timely and appropriate level of ca=
re to
the patient, including the decision to transport or treat on the scene=
.
- Integrate
the State Poison Center<=
/st1:PlaceType>
into prehospital response for hazardous materials and biochemical
terrorism responses.
Proc=
edure:
1. The 911 call center will iden=
tify
and complete key questions for the Overdose / Poisoning, Animal Bites /
Attacks, or Carbon Monoxide / Inhalation / HazMat emergency medical dispatch
complaints and dispatch appropriate EMS services and / or directly contact =
the State Poison
Center for consulta=
tion.
2. If no immediate life threat o=
r need
for transport is identified, EMS personnel may connect the patient / caller with the Poison Co=
ntrol
Specialist at the Poison<=
/st1:PlaceName>
Control Center. If possible, dispatch personnel sh=
ould
remain on line during the conference evaluation.
3. The Poison Control Specialist=
at
the Poison Control Center
will evaluate the exposure and make recommendations regarding the need for
on-scene treatment and / or hospital transport in a timely manner. If dispatch personnel are not on-l=
ine,
the Specialist will recontact the 911 center and communicate these
recommendations.
4. If the patient is determined =
to
need EMS transport, the Poison Control
Specialist will contact the receiving hospital and provide information
regarding the poisoning, including treatment recommendations. EMS may
contact medical control for further instructions or to discuss transport
options.
5. If the patient is determined =
not to
require EMS transport, EMS personnel wil=
l give
the phone number of the patient / caller to the Poison Control Specialist.<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The Poison Control Specialist will
initiate a minimum of one follow-up call to determine the status of the
patient.
6. Minimal information that shou=
ld be
obtained from the patient for the state poison center includes:<=
/span>
- Name
and age of the patient &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
- Substance
involved
- Signs
and Symptoms
- Time
of exposure &nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp;
- Any
treatment given