Objective: To determine the impact and safety of diverting poisoning calls from 911 to a regional poison center.
Methods: A prospective six-month review was performed of all calls transferred from 911 dispatchers to a regional poison center for management. Recommendations for management and transport were made by the poison center using existing protocols. Patients were followed with telephone contact by poison center staff until symptoms resolved or until hospital discharge. Medical outcomes were categorized using the American Association of Poison Control Center guidelines for medical outcome.
Results: A total of 262 cases were reviewed; four were excluded. The poison center was contacted prior to ambulance dispatch in 210 cases (81%). An ambulance was sent before the poison center was contacted 48 times (19%). The majority of patients originally calling 911 were managed at home (175/258; 68%). Patients experienced either no effect or minor effects in 254 cases (98%). Two patients developed moderate effects (0.8%), one developed a major effect (0.4%), and one died (0.04)%. No adverse effects or treatment delays resulted from diversion of calls to the poison center.
Conclusions: Appropriate poisoning and toxic exposure cases may be diverted safely from emergency medical services dispatch to a regional poison center for management, reducing unnecessary responses, with substantial cost savings.