Clinical toxicology overview

Clinical toxicology focuses on the effects of substances in patients from accidental poisonings or intentional overdoses of medications, drugs of abuse, household products, or chemicals. Emergency medical services should be contacted immediately for patients with unstable vital signs, and they should be referred to a hospital. The nationwide toll-free poison center number, 800-222-1222, is available 24 hours a day for health care professionals and the public. Poison control centers accredited by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) are the most reliable, up-to-date information source; POISINDEX is the primary computerized database for poison control centers.

One number to memorize: 800-222-1222 (US poison control, 24/7). Unstable vitals -> call EMS and get to a hospital. AAPCC centers and POISINDEX are the go-to information sources.

📖 “Clinical toxicology: effects of accidental poisonings/intentional overdoses. Call EMS for unstable vitals; poison center 800-222-1222 (24 hr). AAPCC centers most reliable; POISINDEX primary database.”