Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Poison Information Center

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Abstract
A follow-up telephone survey was made to callers to the Boston [USA] Poison Information Center (BPIC). The outcome of specific poisonings was determined, and 1 child in the study population of 137 was still ill from the poisoning. The performance of the Center was measured in terms of patient understanding of directions as given by the BPIC (98%), understanding of instructions in the use of Ipecac syrup (91%), and understanding and institution of preventive measures as recommended by the Center (70%). Confidence in the Center was measured by determining the percentage of callers who contacted another source after speaking with the BPIC (19%), as well as a general rating of the Center''s performance (96%-good to excellent). Compliance was evaluated in terms of the percent of callers who administered Ipecac syrup (66%) and the percent who contacted a 2nd source for information (89%) when told to do so. The implications of these findings for this poison center and poison centers in general are discussed.

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