Poisons training for paramedics [Abstract]

Harbon, S., Dyas, J., Krishna, Channarayapatna and Thompson, John Paul 2012. Poisons training for paramedics [Abstract]. Clinical Toxicology 50 (4) , pp. 308-309. 10.3109/15563650.2012.669957

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Abstract

Objective: Ambulance paramedics, often the fi rst point of contact with poisoned patients, need to make rapid assessments and instigate appropriate emergency treatment plans. To do so effectively they require speedy access to relevant information. This outreach programme was established to ensure that all ambulance personnel in Wales and South West England are familiar with the full range of resources offered by The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS). Methods: All ambulance stations in Wales and the South West (173) were contacted by letter and/or telephone and provided with the following information: 1. General information about NPIS and a request that all ambulance crews be made aware of the NPIS 24/7 poisons enquiry telephone number. 2. Information relating to TOXBASE ® , the primary toxicology database of the NPIS, and an encouragement to each station to apply for free registration. (Telephone number and website information were also provided in the form of stickers and postcards for ease of dissemination and availability to individual crews) 3. NPIS (Cardiff) offers free hands-on training for ambulance personnel in the effi cient use of TOXBASE ® . Consultant clinical toxicologists are also available to provide training in the basic management of poisoned patients including recognition of toxidromes and signs and symptoms relating to the severity of poisoning; training courses often being structured to the specifi c requirements of individual cohorts. Results: Since the outreach programme began, TOXBASE ® registrations from ambulance stations have increased 31% in Wales and 44% in the South West. There has also been a very positive response to the offer of specialist training; overall 217 ambulance personnel have received training from poisons information specialists and clinical toxicologists on the effi cient use of TOXBASE ® and other aspects of poisoning in 13 separate training sessions. Six specialist training sessions have also been held for 42 members of the South West England Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). Conclusion: Specialised training greatly enhances the confi dence of paramedics when dealing with poisoned patients. In cases where there remains uncertainty regarding the potential toxicity of agents, access to TOXBASE ® or the poisons enquiry line provides invaluable reassurance and markedly reduces the costs associated with unnecessary transport and accident and emergency admission.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Additional Information:	Abstracts of the 2012 International Congress of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, 25 May-1 June 2012, London, UK
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1556-3650
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2021 01:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/43667

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