Preventing Pediatric Poisonings

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Preventing Pediatric Poisonings
WHAM
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WHAM

• What risks are observed on scene?
• How can we keep from coming back?
• Action to take to prevent future injuries
• Materials to leave behind

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Pediatric Poisoning

• 53 of poison exposures occur to kids under 6
  y.o.
• In Washington, poisoning deaths among young
  children are rare. However, when combined with
  intentional poisoning, it is the second leading
  cause of injury hospitalizations for children
  0-17 years.
• During 2000-2004 in Pierce Co. there were 263
  poison-related hospitalizations for children lt18
  y.o. Slightly more than half (51.7) were
  intentional.

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Washington Poison Centers Top 5 Exposure Calls
(2005)

• Ibuprofen
• Diaper care/rash products
• Acetaminophen (generic Tylenol)
• Anti-depressants
• Hypochlorite (chlorine bleach)

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The 5 rights of med safety

• The right person
• The right dose
• The right medicine
• The right time
• The right route

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What risks are observed on scene?

• You are called to a chaotic scene at a home for
  an elderly woman who has fallen. The patient was
  visiting her son and his three small children.
• The son suddenly realizes that he has lost track
  of his 2-year-old. You see the child picking some
  pills up off the floor.

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How can we keep from coming back?
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Action to taketo prevent further injuries

• Remind parent to keep all medication out of reach
  of children
• Remind parents that even if their home is child
  proofed, grandparents homes and others may not
  be
• Keep all meds and cleaning products in original
  containers
• Inform parent of Poison Control number and
  information

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Materials to leave behind

• Utilize WHAM folder on rig
• Washington Poison Center Prevention Treatment
  Guide Poisons (English and Spanish)
• Safe Kids Wheres Your Medicine booklet
  (English and Spanish)
• Washington Poison Center number stickers

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Further info on Preventing Accidental Poisoning

• Links
• Washington Poison Center website www.wapc.org
• Washington Poison Center offers tours to EMTs and
  paramedicssign up online
• or call 1-800-222-1222

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WHAM developed by Central Pierce Fire
RescueCity of DuPont Fire DepartmentGig Harbor
Fire Medic OneSafe Kids Pierce
CountyTacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.
With funding fromWest Region EMS Trauma Care
Council