Poison Prevention Week

March 17, 2020

Every year in the UK there are around 160,000 NHS emergency department presentations as a result of poisoning; this could be due to self-harm, drug misuse, medication errors etc. Therefore there is the need for healthcare professionals to access up-to-date information about the effects of these substances and their clinical management.

The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides this information via the internet database TOXBASE as well as a 24-hour telephone advice line manned by specialists in poisons information, supported by consultant clinical toxicologists. The Birmingham unit of the NPIS is located at City Hospital with 10 specialists in poisons information and two consultant clinical toxicologists.

Poison Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of poisoning and highlight the dangers of poisonings for people of all ages.

To celebrate the week, each day we will be offering tips around poison prevention and staying safe.

Today’s tip is:

Always read product labels and follow any directions. Buy products with child-resistant packaging, but remember nothing is child-proof.

Paracetamol is the drug that the NPIS is most commonly contacted about. This can be due to intentional overdose, however on many occasions it is due to therapeutic errors for pain relief such as dental pain.  Please ensure that the dosing recommendations for medications such as paracetamol are always followed, and for children ensure that they are being given the correct dose for their age/weight.

Keep all household medications in a safe place away from children, especially where these can be accessed easily like dosset boxes.

For more information or if you would like assistance with the use of TOXBASE please do not hesitate to get in touch with michael.beech@nhs.net or e.moyns@nhs.net from the national poisons information service.