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Abstract: Poison information centres are those,
which provide immediate round the clock toxicity
assessment and treatment recommendations for the
effective management of poisoning cases. Poison control
centres generally provide referral and management advice
for poisonings, information on potential poisons and
programs on poison prevention for the general public and
health care professionals. Implementation of the Poison
Control Centre will further enhance the ability of
poison centers to improve the care of poisoned patients
and reach the overall goal of reducing illness, injury
and death due to poisoning. Pharmacist's roles in
patient care are becoming more widely recognized by
other health care professionals, health policy decision
makers and the general public. A clinical pharmacist is
entrusted to provide clinical preventive care, primary
care, emergency services, and long term care and
rehabilitative services. Participation of pharmacists is
necessary to meet several of these objectives.
Increasing costs and fragmentation of the health care
system are well recognized, with consumers facing
difficulties obtaining care in a timely fashion and
then, often, from a practitioner with whom they are not
familiar. Pharmacists working in emergency departments
thus could provide this service, as well as other
services that relate to primary care or that prevent
further emergency department admissions.
Incidence of Poisoning
Poisoning is the harmful effect that occurs when a toxic
substance is swallowed, inhaled, or comes in contact
with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes, such as those
of the mouth or nose. Poisoning is the most common cause
of nonfatal accidents in the home. More than 2 million
people suffer some type of poisoning each year in the
United States. Drugs prescriptions, nonprescription and
illegal are the most common source of serious poisonings
and poisoning-related deaths. Other common poisons
include gases, household products, agricultural
products, plants, industrial chemicals, vitamins and
foods (particularly certain species of mushrooms and
fish). However, almost any substance ingested in
sufficiently large quantities can be toxic.
In parts of the developing world, pesticide poisoning
causes more deaths than infectious diseases; their easy
availability also makes them a popular method of self
harm. The prevalence of deliberate self-harm appears to
be increasing, especially among younger cohorts, with
the difference between men and women becoming less.
Despite recommendations for the emergency department
management of deliberate self-harm being available for
over 5 years, less than 50% of patients are getting
appropriate psychosocial care.
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