Approach to the Poisoned Patient

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Toxicology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Poisoning is a leading cause of injury-related mortality in the US, with significant emergency department visit rates.
• Emergency providers are often the first point of contact for poisoned patients and require standardized evaluation skills.
• Inadequate risk assessment and intervention knowledge can negatively impact patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide emergency medical providers with a standardized framework for the initial assessment and management of poisoned patients.
• To enhance learners' cognitive knowledge and diagnostic skills in toxicology.
• To serve as a foundational resource for medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• An enhanced live-action greenscreen video lecture with animation was utilized for educational delivery.
• The video was made accessible on social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube) for broad reach.
• Learners can engage with the content as a flipped classroom resource or a just-in-time learning tool.

Main Results:

• The video has garnered over three thousand views across social media platforms.
• Positive feedback was received, highlighting the educational value and practical application of the content.
• User comments indicated a strong appreciation for the "tox knowledge bombs" and suggestions for expanded topics like antidotes.

Conclusions:

• The video successfully delivers foundational knowledge for approaching poisoned patients.
• A standardized approach, as presented, can improve the evaluation and treatment of the majority of poisoning cases.
• The accessibility on social media facilitates widespread dissemination and learning in emergency medicine and toxicology.