Abstract
A random telephone survey was conducted within the region served by the Kentucky Regional Poison Center. 222 recent exposure episodes were identified. Information on the following was obtained in each case: details of exposure, including the use of the KRPC and any treatment received; information about the victim and, if a child, the supervisor at the time of the incident; epidemiologic data about the family. In each case the exposure history was reviewed by one of us (GR) and the necessity for an ER or physician visit versus home treatment determined. 71 victims were seen by a physician or ER. 111 victims called the KRPC only; and an additional 37 called the KRPC, plus an additional source of information. Statistical analysis of the data revealed two confounding variables: whether someone else was called in addition to the KRPC and whether a parent or caretaker was involved with a pediatric victim. The odds ratio for an ER or physician visit as a function of KRPC usage was calculated for each confounder and a summary odds ratio was computed using the Mantel-Haenzel Method. Contact with the KRPC significantly decreased the probability of a ER or physician visit (odds ratio = 0.423, p= 0.007).
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Rodgers, G., Hinds, M., Skaggs, J. et al. EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A REGIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTER (KRPC) IN PREVENTING EMERGENCY ROOM (ER) AND PHYSICIAN VISITS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 112 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00116
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00116