Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-1-2016

Journal

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine

Volume

34

Issue

8

Inclusive Pages

1614-1619

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2016.06.018

Keywords

Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Automation; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Medical Services; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Infant; Internet; Male; Middle Aged; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; Search Engine; Triage; Young Adult

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A free webPOISONCONTROL app allows the public to determine the appropriate triage of poison ingestions without calling poison control. If accepted and safe, this alternative expands access to reliable poison control services to those who prefer the Internet over the telephone. This study assesses feasibility, safety, and user-acceptance of automated online triage of asymptomatic, nonsuicidal poison ingestion cases.

METHODS: The user provides substance name, amount, age, and weight in an automated online tool or downloadable app, and is given a specific triage recommendation to stay home, go to the emergency department, or call poison control for further guidance. Safety was determined by assessing outcomes of consecutive home-triaged cases with follow-up and by confirming the correct application of algorithms. Case completion times and user perceptions of speed and ease of use were measures of user-acceptance.

RESULTS: Of 9256 cases, 73.3% were triaged to home, 2.1% to an emergency department, and 24.5% directed to call poison control. Children younger than 6 years were involved in 75.2% of cases. Automated follow-up was done in 31.2% of home-triaged cases; 82.3% of these had no effect. No major or fatal outcomes were reported. More than 91% of survey respondents found the tool quick and easy to use. Median case completion time was 4.1 minutes.

CONCLUSION: webPOISONCONTROL augments traditional poison control services by providing automated, accurate online access to case-specific triage and first aid guidance for poison ingestions. It is safe, quick, and easy to use.

Comments

Reproduced with permission of Elsevier B.V. Ltd. Elsevier B.V.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Peer Reviewed

1

Open Access

1

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