Use of telephone recording devices by poison centers in the United States

To determine the extent of and rationale for the use of telephone recording devices by poison centers, a survey was distributed to 93 poison centers in the US during September 1991. Of the 62 respondents, 23 (37%) utilized and 39 did not utilize a telephone recording device. Telephone recording devices were primarily installed to address liability concerns followed by use for quality assurance, staff evaluation and training. The most frequent reason for not using a telephone recording device was the high cost and lack of funds (19) followed by considering it an unnecessary practice (8) and liability concerns (7). Poison centers certified by the AAPCC were more likely to record telephone conversations (p < 0.05) and accounted for 70% of centers with a recording device. A telephone recording device is employed by 1/3 of poison centers primarily to address liability concerns.