Study of Caregivers Regarding Pediatric Poisoning
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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
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Published on: May 31, 2024
Barbara Insley Crouch1, Marty Christensen Malheiro1, Kaitlyn Brown1
11 University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Insights
Caregivers need better awareness of poison control centers (PCCs) to ensure timely help for potential poisonings. Understanding barriers to PCC utilization is key for improving poison prevention education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Poison exposures are a significant concern in pediatric emergency care.
- Poison Control Centers (PCCs) are vital resources for managing poisoning incidents.
- Understanding caregiver actions and barriers to PCC utilization is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize caregiver actions during potential pediatric poison exposures.
- To identify barriers hindering the utilization of Poison Control Centers (PCCs).
Main Methods:
- A prospective survey was administered to caregivers of pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department for potential poison exposure.
- Data were collected from 371 completed surveys between August 2016 and August 2017.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients were 3 years or younger.
- Caucasian caregivers were more likely to be aware of, have the number for, and have previously contacted a PCC compared to other racial/ethnic groups.
- Caregivers with government insurance perceived PCCs as more likely to report calls to authorities.
Conclusions:
- Targeted education efforts are needed to address underutilization of PCCs among specific populations.
- Improving awareness and accessibility of PCC services can enhance poison prevention and management strategies.
- Addressing caregiver perceptions regarding reporting may improve PCC engagement.
Abstract:
The overall objective was to characterize action by caregivers when a potential poison exposure occurs and identify barriers to poison control center (PCC) utilization. A prospective survey of caregivers of pediatric patients who presented to an emergency department for a potential poison exposure was completed by each study participant. A total of 371 surveys were completed between August 2016 and August 2017. The majority of patients were 3 years or younger. Caucasians were more likely to have heard of the PCC, had the toll-free number available, and had previously called compared with other races and ethnicities. Caregivers with some government insurance were more likely to think that PCCs report child poisoning calls to authorities. Education efforts of nationwide PCCs focus on awareness of the PCC as well as poison prevention strategies. Understanding barriers to utilization of PCC and populations who are more likely to underutilize the PCC can help direct education efforts.
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