Citation

Targosz D, Szkolnicka B, Mitrus M, Morawska J, Satora L. Przegl. Lek. 2005; 62(6): 558-560.

Vernacular Title

Miejsce Osrodka informacji Toksykologicznej w strukturach sluzby zdrowia.

Affiliation

Katedra Toksykologii Klinicznej i Srodowiskowej, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagielloniskiego, Krakowie. oit@cm-uj.krakow.pl

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Przeglad Lekarski)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16225123

Abstract

Poison information centres (PIC) provide telephone advice on the treatment of poisonings to the lay public and medical professionals. The number of enquires increases every year. Poison Information Centre of Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University in Krakow provided 1611 advices in 1999 and 2263--five years later--in 2004. Each incoming call is recorded and documented by standardized protocol. Another aspect of PIC activity of is prevention and education. Enquires protocols' analysis shows the most frequent reasons and circumstances of poisonings. Thus, it is possible to conduct appropriate prophylactic campaigns. The above aspects of activity of PIC do not bring direct financial benefit. There is one index which shows that PIC saves the money. There were 335 cases in 2004 (above 50% consulted lay public) when unnecessary hospital admissions were prevent. It should be noted that the others were refer to proper specialist. This aspect of PIC's activity significantly decreases the costs which should be paid in any medical intervention.