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Updated: May 19, 2026
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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
Published on: May 10, 2016
High call volume at poison control centers: identification and implications for communication
E M Caravati1, S Latimer, M Reblin
1Utah Poison Control Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Martin.Caravati@hsc.utah.edu
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|August 15, 2012
Summary
High volume surges at poison control centers are predictable using statistical modeling. During these busy periods, calls and communication remained similar to low-volume times, with more concise interactions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Toxicology
Background:
- Uncommon and unpredictable high-volume surges in healthcare pose challenges to studying system performance.
- Understanding the dynamics of busy periods in specialized health services like poison control centers is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify periods of high call volume at a poison control center.
- To compare case and communication characteristics during high-volume versus low-volume periods.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12 months of call data from a US poison control center.
- Statistical identification of high-volume periods (top 1%) and low-volume periods (bottom 30%).
- Comparison of case and communication variables (call duration, number of cases, calls per staff) using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 100 high-volume and 4885 low-volume 30-minute periods identified; peak times were evenings and winter months.
- Calls during high-volume periods were slightly shorter (3:27) than low-volume periods (3:57).
- Fewer verbal statements and staff questions were noted during peak periods, but overall communication quality was maintained.
Conclusions:
- Statistical modeling effectively identifies peak activity periods for poison center call volume.
- Calls and communication during high-volume periods were comparable to low-volume periods.
- Poison control center staff maintained good caller rapport and concise communication during busy periods, enabling effective service delivery.
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