Oct-Dec, 2011 - Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice

Indian Journal of Pharmacy PracticeAssociation of Pharmaceutical Teachers of IndiaPoison Information Center-An Overview of its Significance, Organization and FunctioningShobha C*, Ramesh M, Parthasarathi G.Department of Pharmacy Practice, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS University, SS Nagar, Mysore-15A B S T R A C TSubmitted: 2/10/2011Accepted: 6/11/2011Poisoning is a significant global public health problem. According to world health organization (WHO), in the year 2004, it is estimated that346,000 people died worldwide from unintentional poisoning. Nearly a million people die each year as a result of suicide, and chemicals accountfor a significant number of these deaths. It is estimated that deliberate ingestion of pesticides causes 370,000 deaths each year. In India, thereare higher incidences of poisoning and is also one of the major causes of death. In developing countries, pesticides are frequently used forsuicidal poisoning. Increased mortality and morbidity could have been due to lack of access to information to the physician treating the poisonedpatients and awareness about the prevention, first aid measures and management of different poisoning cases. Poison information center (PIC)can play a vital role in the prevention and management of poisoning cases through provision of information to general public and also tohealthcare professionals. Poison information center or poison control center (PCC) is a specialised unit that provides information on poisoningmanagement and immediate information on early diagnosis, treatment, management, prevention and hazards management of poisoningthrough well trained poison information specialist. Poison information services (PISs) helps in reducing the poisoning treatment cost to thepatients and to public health care facility by preventing the unnecessary visits to the healthcare facilityand prolonged hospitalization. Since therehas been a limited number of PIC to provide the vital service of poison management in India, there is a need for establishing several such centerswith well equipped and well trained personnel is helpful.Keywords: Poison information center, Poison control center, Incidence, India, Poison information servicesINTRODUCTIONPoison information center (PIC) or poison control center(PCC) is a specialised unit that provides information onpoisoning management and immediate information on earlydiagnosis, treatment, management, prevention and hazardsmanagement of poisoning through well trained poison1information specialist. Poison information (PI) is aspecialized area of drug information which refers to theinformation about the toxic effects of chemicals, hazardousmaterial spills, house hold products, over dose of therapeuticmedicines, plants including mushroom, animal toxins bybites of snake, spider and other venomous creatures and2stings.PIC provides poison information services for the effectivemanagement of poisoning cases. Poison information services(PISs) mainly deals with a timely provision of poisoningmanagement information appropriate to the needs of the1,3enquirer. Poison information service also deals with the riskassessment, diagnosis, management and prevention ofAddress for Correspondence:Shobha Churi, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, JSSCollege of Pharmacy, JSS University, SS Nagar Mysore-15E-mail: shobha912@yahoo.comexposure to any poison, in patients of any age irrespective oftype (intentional or accidental) and route of exposure. Theprimary aim of PIC is to reduce the morbidity and mortalitydue to poisoning and improve the patients' health related2,4quality of life. PISs helps in reducing the poisoningtreatment cost to the patients and to public health care facilityby preventing the unnecessary visits to the healthcare facility,5hospital admission and prolonged hospitalization.PIC functions 24 hours a day round the year with an objectiveof continually improving the outcome of the affected peopleby providing a timely, safe information service appropriate tothe needs of the enquirer related to poisoning, suspected6poisoning and prevention of poisoning. Poison informationcenter aims to prevent unnecessary visits to doctors andhospitals and to ensure that patients, who are poisoned,receive the most effective treatment promptly. The size of thePIC may vary based on call volumes and ideally be locatedadjacent to emergency department. PIC may operate locallyproviding the services to populations of specific geographicallocation or may extend its service to regional / national level.Need for Poison Information CenterPoisoning is a significant global public health problem.According to world health organization (WHO) data, in theIndian Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume 4 Issue 4 Oct - Dec, 2011 14