Cycas revoluta (sago cycad) exposures reported to Texas poison centers.

BACKGROUND: Cycas revoluta (sago cycad or palm) is a popular ornamental plant in the United States. All parts of the plant contain toxins such cycasin and beta-methylamino-l-alanine, the ingestion of which can be harmful to humans and animals. The objective of this study was to characterize C. revoluta exposures reported to poison centers. METHODS: Cases were C. revoluta exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2000-2018. The distribution of cases by selected variables was determined. RESULTS: Of 192 total C. revoluta exposures, the most common exposure routes were ingestion (55.7%) and dermal (34.4%). The patient age distribution was 28.1% 5 years or less, 15.1% 6-12 years, 4.7% 13-19 years, and 50.5% 20 years or more; 55.2% were male. The exposure was unintentional in 92.2% of the cases and occurred at the patient's own residence in 94.8%. The patient was managed on site in 78.6% of the cases, already at/en route to a healthcare facility in 12.0%, and referred to a healthcare facility in 8.9%. The most common reported clinical effects were dermal (23.4%), particularly puncture/wound (16.1%), dermal irritation/pain (14.6%), and edema (8.9%), followed by gastrointestinal (13.0%), particularly vomiting (8.9%) and nausea (7.8%). CONCLUSION: Most of the C. revoluta exposures tended to be unintentional and occurred at home. Although most of the C. revoluta exposures involved ingestion, 35% were dermal, and the most frequently reported clinical effects were dermal followed by gastrointestinal. Most of the exposures were not serious and were managed outside of a healthcare facility.

Melia Azedarach Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

BACKGROUND: Melia azedarach, also known as the chinaberry tree, is native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia but has become an invasive species in the United States. M. azedarach contains limonoid tetranotriterpenes, found in highest concentrations in its berries. Ingestion has been reported to result in adverse clinical effects affecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic systems. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to describe M. azedarach ingestions in Texas. METHODS: Cases were M. azedarach ingestions reported to Texas poison centers from 2000-2018. The distribution of cases was determined for various factors related to patient demographics, ingestion circumstances, management, and outcome. RESULTS: Of 990 total M. azedarach ingestions, 87.4% involved the berry. There was a seasonal pattern with 42.9% reported between March and May. The patients were male in 55.1% of cases; 86.6% of the patients were ≤5 years of age. Patients were managed outside of a health care facility in 89.9% of cases; 95.2% of the ingestions resulted in no or at most minor clinical effects. The most frequently reported clinical effects were gastrointestinal (8.9%) and neurologic (2.1%). The most common treatments were dilution (67.2%) and food/snack (16.8%). CONCLUSION: In this study that focused on M. azedarach ingestions reported to Texas poison centers, the ingestions tended to involve berries. Most of the patients were young children. The ingestions often occurred between March and May. The ingestions typically were managed outside of a health care facility and did not result in serious outcomes. The most common clinical effects were gastrointestinal and neurologic.

High dose insulin for beta-blocker and calcium channel-blocker poisoning.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High dose insulin (HDI) is a standard therapy for beta-blocker (BB) and calcium channel-blocker (CCB) poisoning, however human case experience is rare. Our poison center routinely recommends HDI for shock from BBs or CCBs started at 1U/kg/h and titrated to 10U/kg/h. The study objective was to describe clinical characteristics and adverse events associated with HDI. METHODS: This was a structured chart review of patients receiving HDI for BB or CCB poisoning with HDI defined as insulin infusion of ≥0.5U/kg/h. RESULTS: In total 199 patients met final inclusion criteria. Median age was 48years (range 14-89); 50% were male. Eighty-eight patients (44%) were poisoned by BBs, 66 (33%) by CCBs, and 45 (23%) by both. Median nadir pulse was 54 beats/min (range 12-121); median nadir systolic blood pressure was 70mmHg (range, 30-167). Forty-one patients (21%) experienced cardiac arrest; 31 (16%) died. Median insulin bolus was 1U/kg (range, 0.5-10). Median starting insulin infusion was 1U/kg/h (range 0.22-10); median peak infusion was 8U/kg/h (range 0.5-18). Hypokalemia occurred in 29% of patients. Hypoglycemia occurred in 31% of patients; 50% (29/50) experienced hypoglycemia when dextrose infusion concentration ≤10%, and 30% (31/105) experienced hypoglycemia when dextrose infusion concentration ≥20%. CONCLUSIONS: HDI, initiated by emergency physicians in consultation with a poison center, was feasible and safe in this large series. Metabolic abnormalities were common, highlighting the need for close monitoring. Hypoglycemia was more common when less concentrated dextrose maintenance infusions were utilized.

Marijuana and acute health care contacts in Colorado.

Over 22 million Americans are current users of marijuana; half of US states allow medical marijuana, and several allow recreational marijuana. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact marijuana has on hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and regional poison center (RPC) calls in Colorado, a medical and recreational marijuana state. This is a retrospective review using Colorado Hospital Association hospitalizations and ED visits with marijuana-related billing codes, and RPC marijuana exposure calls. Legalization of marijuana in Colorado has been associated with an increase in hospitalizations, ED visits, and RPC calls linked with marijuana exposure. From 2000 to 2015, hospitalization rates with marijuana-related billing codes increased from 274 to 593 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2015. Overall, the prevalence of mental illness among ED visits with marijuana-related codes was five-fold higher (5.07, 95% CI: 5.0, 5.1) than the prevalence of mental illness without marijuana-related codes. RPC calls remained constant from 2000 through 2009. However, in 2010, after local medical marijuana policy liberalization, the number of marijuana exposure calls significantly increased from 42 to 93; in 2014, after recreational legalization, calls significantly increased by 79.7%, from 123 to 221 (p<0.0001). The age group <17years old also had an increase in calls after 2014. As more states legalize marijuana, it is important to address public education and youth prevention, and understand the impact on mental health disorders. Improvements in data collection and surveillance methods are needed to more accurately evaluate the public health impact of marijuana legalization.

Texas Bull Nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

OBJECTIVE: Texas bull nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) is covered in bristly hairs similar to stinging nettle. Contact with the plant may result in intense dermal pain, burning, itching, cellulitis, and allergic reaction. This study characterizes C texanus exposures reported to a large state-wide poison center system. METHODS: Cases were C texanus exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2000-2015. The distribution of cases was determined for patient demographics, exposure circumstances, and patient outcome. RESULTS: A total of 140 C texanus exposures were identified. Twenty percent of the patients were aged ≤5 years, 21% were 6 to 12 years, 5% were 13 to 19 years, and 51% were ≥20years; and 51% of the patients were male. Eighty-one percent of the exposures occurred at the patient's own residence, 11% in a public area, 2% at another residence, and 1% at school. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were managed on site, 13% were already at or en route to a health care facility, and 6% were referred to a health care facility. Eighty-eight percent of the exposures resulted in dermal effects: irritation or pain (56%), erythema or flushing (31%), edema (27%), pruritus (24%), rash (19%), puncture or wound (19%), and hives or welts (11%). CONCLUSIONS: C texanus exposures reported to Texas poison centers were most likely to be unintentional and occur at the patient's own residence. The outcomes of the exposures tended not to be serious and could be managed successfully outside of health care facilities.

Xylazine Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

BACKGROUND: Xylazine is a sedative, analgesic, anesthetic, and central muscle relaxant approved for animals but not humans. Although xylazine is an emerging drug of abuse, there are limited data on potentially adverse exposures to the drug. OBJECTIVES: The intent of this study was to describe potentially adverse xylazine exposures reported to a large poison center system. METHODS: All xylazine exposures reported to Texas poison centers between 2000 and 2014 were included. The distribution of cases by select variables was determined. RESULTS: Of 76 total cases, 93% of the patients were ≥20 years of age, and 54% were male. Fifty-one percent of the exposures occurred by injection, 28% by ingestion, 16% were dermal, 14% were ocular, and 3% by inhalation. Sixty-four percent of the exposures were unintentional, 32% were intentional, and 1% each was related to malicious use and adverse reaction. Sixty-seven percent of the patients were already at or en route to a health care facility when the poison center was contacted, 21% were managed on-site, and 9% were referred to a health care facility. The most common clinical effects were drowsiness or lethargy (47%), bradycardia (20%), hypotension (11%), hypertension (9%), puncture or wound (8%), and slurred speech (8%). CONCLUSION: Xylazine exposures tended to involve patients who were adult males, exposures were typically unintentional; and most often occurred by injection. Most of the patients were already at or en route to a health care facility when a poison center was contacted. The most frequently reported adverse effects were cardiovascular or neurologic in nature.

Pattern of Mefloquine Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

Background. Mefloquine is an antimalarial drug available in the United States that in 2013 was given a black box warning about the potential for neurologic and psychiatric adverse effects. Objective. This study describes mefloquine ingestions reported to a large statewide poison center system. Methods. The distribution of all mefloquine ingestions reported to Texas poison centers during 2010 to 2014 was determined for dose, year, patient age and gender, exposure site, ingestion reason, management site, medical outcome, clinical effects, and treatments. Results. Of 63 total cases, the mean dose was 672 mg (range = 188-3500 mg). The patient age distribution was 5 years or less (27.0%), 6 to 19 years (12.7%), and 20 years or more (58.7%); 52.4% of the patients were male. Therapeutic errors accounted for 71.4% of the cases and adverse reactions 19.0%. The management site was 52.4% on site, 19.0% already at/en route to a health care facility, and 23.8% referred to a health care facility. The medical outcome was not serious in 79.4% of the cases. The most common adverse effects were gastrointestinal (28.6%) or neurological (20.6%) in nature. One case each was reported to have depression, paranoia, and almost psychotic presentation. Conclusions. Few mefloquine ingestions were reported to Texas poison centers. Those that were reported tended to involve adult males and were due to therapeutic error or adverse reaction. Although mefloquine ingestions may result in potentially serious side effects, the exposures reported to Texas poison centers tended not to be serious with few adverse effects and were managed outside of health care facilities.

Pediatric Exposures to Electronic Cigarettes Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarette use is increasing. There are concerns that pediatric exposures to these products may result in serious adverse affects. OBJECTIVES: This study describes pediatric exposures to electronic cigarettes. METHODS: Cases were electronic cigarette exposures among patients age 5 years or less reported to Texas poison centers during January 2010-June 2014. The distribution by selected variables was determined. RESULTS: Of 203 exposures, two cases were reported in 2010, five in 2011, 20 in 2012, 70 in 2013, and 106 in January-June 2014. Fifty-one percent of the patients were male; 32% of the patients were aged 1 year, and 42% were 2 years of age. Ninety-six percent of the exposures occurred at the patient's own residence. The exposure routes were ingestion (93%), dermal (11%), ocular (3%), and inhalation (2%). Fifty-eight percent of the patients were managed on site. Of the patients seen at a health care facility, 69% were treated or evaluated and released. Eleven percent of the exposures were serious. The most commonly reported clinical effects were vomiting (24%), drowsiness/lethargy (2%), and cough/choke (2%). The most frequent treatments were dilution/irrigation/wash (65%) and food/snack (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Electronic cigarette exposures involving young children reported to poison centers are increasing. Such exposures are likely to involve patients ages 2-3 years, occur at the child's own residence, and occur by ingestion. Further study is needed to determine which subgroups are at risk for serious outcomes and warrant evaluation at a health care facility.

Antiretroviral Drug Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

Background. A number of different antiretroviral drugs are used to manage patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Objective. This study describes antiretroviral drug exposures reported to a large statewide poison center system. Methods. Cases were all antiretroviral drug exposures reported to the Texas Poison Center Network during 2000 to 2014. The distribution of cases was determined for various demographic and clinical factors. Results. Of a total of 632 exposures, the most commonly reported drugs were emtricitabine-tenofovir combination (17.1%), efavirenz-emtricitabine-tenofovir combination (13.8%), ritonavir (10.9%), lamivudine-zidovudine combination (10.3%), and efavirenz (10.1%). The annual number of antiretroviral drug exposures increased from 34 in 2000 to 67 in 2014. Males comprised 67.9% of the patients; 72.2% were 20 years or older. The exposures were 58.5% unintentional and 37.5% intentional. Only antiretroviral drugs were reported in 440 of the exposures. Of these exposures, 62.5% were managed on site, 28.0% were already at or en route to a health care facility when the poison center was contacted, and 8.6% were referred to a health care facility. The exposures were not serious in 88.7% of these cases. The most frequently reported adverse clinical effects were vomiting (5.7%), nausea (4.8%), dizziness/vertigo (3.2%), and drowsiness/lethargy (3.2%). Conclusions. The most commonly reported antiretroviral drugs were emtricitabine-tenofovir combination and efavirenz-emtricitabine-tenofovir combination. The patients were most likely to be adults and males. The exposures tended to be unintentional. Of those exposures involving only antiretroviral drugs, the majority of the exposures were not serious and could be managed outside of a health care facility.

Using poison center exposure calls to predict prescription opioid abuse and misuse-related emergency department visits.

BACKGROUND: Prescription drug abuse is a critical problem in the USA and has been linked to more deaths than automobile accidents. Despite this growing epidemic, the USA lacks a timely early warning system. Poison centers (PCs) have the potential to act as sentinel reporting entities for prescription drug abuse and misuse due to near-real-time data reporting and abundant coverage in the USA. METHODS: Data from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance (RADARS®) System PC program were compared with data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) from 2004 through 2010. Population rates of PC call mentions regarding abuse and misuse of prescription opioids were compared with population rates of emergency department visit mentions of the same using linear regression. Products included in the analysis were the following: buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone. RESULTS: The strength of association between RADARS System PC data and DAWN emergency department visits regarding all opioids in aggregate was strong (R² = 0.81, p < 0.001). The correlations between the two programs at the drug class level also were strong for buprenorphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, and oxycodone (all R² > 0.70, all p < 0.01), significant for fentanyl (p = 0.05), and moderate for morphine (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Data on prescription opioid drug abuse from the RADARS System PC program correlates well with emergency room data from DAWN. Due to timeliness of data, geographic coverage and strong associations with other warning systems, PC data can be used for sentinel reporting on prescription drug abuse and misuse in the USA.

Assessment of prescription opioid intentional exposures across the rural-urban continuum in the United States using both population and drug availability rates.

PURPOSE: Prescription opioid abuse and misuse are a serious problem in the U.S. today. Several studies have shown that the epidemic disproportionately affects rural areas. This paper uses three different rates to gain a more complete picture of opioid abuse in rural areas. METHODS: This study examines prescription opioid intentional exposures using opioid classes tracked in the RADARS(®) System Poison Center Program. Intentional exposure rates were calculated adjusting for population and unique recipients of dispensed drug (URDD). These rates were analyzed using time (quarter) and the proportion of a three-digit zip code residing in a rural area as covariates. Additionally, the URDD per population rate was calculated to examine the proportion of the population filling prescriptions for opioids. RESULTS: After adjusting for population, intentional exposure cases significantly increased as the proportion of the population residing in a rural area increased. However, when adjusting for URDD, intentional exposure cases decreased with increasing rural population. The URDD per population increased as the proportion of people residing in a rural area increased. CONCLUSIONS: Using both population and URDD adjusted intentional exposure rates gives a more complete picture of opioid abuse in rural areas. Considering product availability can be used to develop opioid abuse prevention strategies and further the education of physicians serving rural areas about this epidemic.

Referral of pediatric laundry detergent pack exposure reported to poison centers.

BACKGROUND: Concentrated laundry detergent packs are new products that may be more likely to cause adverse effects and serious medical outcomes among young children than traditional laundry detergent products. OBJECTIVE: The intent of this study was to examine whether certain factors might be associated with the referral of pediatric laundry detergent pack exposures by poison centers. METHODS: Cases were laundry detergent pack exposures involving patients age 5 years or younger reported to Texas poison centers during February 2012 to August 2013. The health care facility referral rate was calculated for selected factors. RESULTS: Of 912 exposures, 720 were managed on site and 192 were referred to a health care facility. The referral rate was 16.1% for patients with not serious outcomes and 71.6% for serious outcomes. The referral rate was 32.0% for patients age younger than 1 year and 14.3% to 22.1% for the older age groups. 31.0% of Purex(TM), 25.5% of All(TM), and 19.3% of Tide(TM) product exposures were referred. The referral rate was 33.3% for ocular exposures, 19.4% for dermal contact, and 20.2% for ingestions. The most common clinical effects and their referral rates were vomiting (30.5%), cough or choke (45.1%), ocular irritation (34.6%), red eye (25.4%), nausea (25.4%), drowsiness or lethargy (67.5%), oral irritation (16.7%), and dermal edema (68.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric exposures to laundry detergent packs were more likely to be referred to health care facilities if the laundry detergent pack brand was Purex(TM), the exposure was ocular, or particular ocular, respiratory, dermal, or neurologic clinical effects were present.

Lurasidone Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

Background: Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in 2010. There is limited information on potentially toxic events involving lurasidone outside of clinical investigations. Objective: This investigation describes potentially toxic lurasidone ingestions from a single data source. Methods: Cases were lurasidone ingestions reported to Texas poison centers during 2011 to 2013. The distribution was determined for selected characteristics. For management and outcome factors, analyses were limited to those cases without coingestants. Results: There were 140 lurasidone ingestions. Of the 72 cases with a reported dose, the mean dose was 536 mg (range = 20-4000 mg). The patient age was 5 years or less in 8.6% of the cases, 6 to 12 years in 2.1%, 13 to 19 years in 17.9%, and 20 years or more in 70.7%; 65.7% of the patients were female. The most commonly reported reason for the exposure was suspected attempted suicide, reported in 54.3% of the cases. No coingestants were reported in 55 (39.3%) of the cases. For these cases, the management site was 56.4% already at/en route to health care facility, 29.1% managed on site, and 10.9% referred to a health care facility. The medical outcome was known or suspected to not be serious in 65.5% of the cases. The most commonly reported clinical effects were drowsiness, agitation, and nausea. Conclusions: The majority of lurasidone ingestions reported to Texas poison centers involved adults and females. Over half were suspected attempted suicides and most involved coingestants. The majority of lurasidone ingestions without coingestants did not have serious outcomes.

General pattern of paediatric poisoning in Jordan during 2018-2019.

Introduction: Acute accidental poisoning in children remains a significant public health issue and a predictable cause of morbidity around the world. To take preventive measures, it is necessary to identify the pattern of this problem. Objective: To determine the extent and characteristics of paediatric poisoning, an epidemiological investigation specific to each country is required. The goal of our research was to determine the current pattern of acute poisoning in children between (0-5) years old in Jordan. Methods: This retrospective study performs a descriptive analysis of the Jordan University Hospital's National Poison Information Center (NPIC) database and describes the epidemiology of acute poisoning in children between (0-5) years old during a period of two years (2018-2019). Results: Paediatric poisoning (0-5) years old accounts for approximately 88% of poisoning cases in Jordan between 2018 and 2019.Out of 3531 paediatric poisoning cases, 44.9% of cases were in children between (2-3) years old, 63.4% of subjects were male. 40.9% of calls were from governmental hospitals. Most cases occurred at home (98.7%) and were unintentional (98.6%). Medication poisoning was the commonest among cases (71.0%). Besides, 89.4% were asymptomatic at the time of call, and Central Nervous System (CNS) symptoms being the most common (3.6%) among the symptomatic cases. Conclusions: Most cases of paediatric poisoning handled by the NPIC was due to medications. To prevent or minimize these cases, it is necessary to educate parents and other caregivers about proper medication storage and use, and in case of poisoning, urgent referral to health facilities is required.

Rapid availability of ethylene glycol test results with enzymatic assay.

BACKGROUND: Ethylene glycol poisoning causes metabolic acidosis, organ injury, and death. Ethylene glycol testing is unavailable in many areas. Our laboratory uses an automated glycerol dehydrogenase enzymatic assay to screen for ethylene glycol. We sought to determine how often ethylene glycol results were available within 12 h of the first dose of fomepizole. METHODS: Records from a single poison center were reviewed from December 2016 to December 2019. Cases were identified by searching for cases that received fomepizole. Outcomes included whether results were available within 12 h, and the turnaround time from time of laboratory order to result. RESULTS: Of the 125 cases of suspected toxic alcohol poisoning identified, 73 had screening for ethylene glycol by enzymatic assay. Results were available within 12 h of the initial fomepizole dose in 58 (79%) cases with a median turnaround time of 391 min. DISCUSSION: We have demonstrated clinically acceptable turnaround times using an automated screening ethylene glycol assay. The major limitations include lack of approval for this test at this time, the use of voluntarily reported poison center data, and lack of assessment of patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Enzymatic screening for ethylene glycol yielded results within 12 h in 79% of cases.

A 19-year longitudinal assessment of gyromitrin-containing (Gyromitra spp.) mushroom poisonings in Michigan.

Mushroom poisonings are common in the United States. Gyromitrin (acetaldehyde N-methyl-N-formylhydrazone) is a clinically significant mycotoxin primarily associated with the lorchel (i.e. the false morel) Gyromitra esculenta. Resemblance between 'true and false morels' has resulted in misidentification of Gyromitra spp. as edible and sought after Morchella spp., resulting in toxicity. Despite literature evidence outlining toxic sequalae, Gyromitra spp. mushrooms are commonly consumed and prepared for culinary purposes. Classic clinical teachings emphasize significant neurotoxicity, including seizures, associated with ingestion of gyromitrin-containing mushrooms, stemming from gyromitrin's terminal metabolite monomethylhydrazine. We performed a longitudinal descriptive review of the clinical toxicity associated with ingestion of mushroom species known or suspected to contain gyromitrin in cases reported to the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center between January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2020. Our 19-year descriptive case series of gyromitrin-containing mushroom ingestions reported to our Center demonstrated a preponderance of gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, including hepatotoxicity. Of 118 identified cases, 108 (91.5%) of the reported ingestions involved Gyromitra esculenta. The most frequent clinical findings associated with symptomatic ingestions (n = 83) were the aforementioned gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 62; 74.7%). Neurological symptoms were less frequent (n = 22, 26.5%) while hepatotoxicity occurred in fewer patients (n = 14; 16.9%). Of symptomatic patients, most were treated with symptomatic and supportive care (n = 58; 70%). Pyridoxine was used in a total of seven patients (n = 7; 8.4%) with either hepatotoxicity or neurotoxicity. Medical outcomes ranged from minor to major, with no reported deaths. Patient presentations (i.e. GI vs. neurotoxic symptoms) following ingestion of gyromitrin-containing mushrooms may be highly variable and multifactorial, owing to differences in dose ingested, geographical distribution, genetic variability of both patient and mushroom species, and species-specific differences in toxin composition. Future research warrants species-level identification of ingested gyromitrin-containing mushrooms and investigating the contribution of genetic polymorphisms to differences in clinical toxidromes.

Use of large language models to optimize poison center charting.

INTRODUCTION: Efficient and complete medical charting is essential for patient care and research purposes. In this study, we sought to determine if Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer could generate cogent, suitable charts from recorded, real-world poison center calls and abstract and tabulate data. METHODS: De-identified transcripts of real-world hospital-initiated poison center consults were summarized by Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4.0. Additionally, Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer organized tables for data points, including vital signs, test results, therapies, and recommendations. Seven trained reviewers, including certified specialists in poison information and board-certified medical toxicologists, graded summaries using a 1 to 5 scale to determine appropriateness for entry into the medical record. Intra-rater reliability was calculated. Tabulated data was quantitatively evaluated for accuracy. Finally, reviewers selected preferred documentation: original or Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer organized. RESULTS: Eighty percent of summaries had a median score high enough to be deemed appropriate for entry into the medical record. In three duplicate cases, reviewers did change scores, leading to moderate intra-rater reliability (kappa = 0.6). Among all cases, 91 percent of data points were correctly abstracted into table format. DISCUSSION: By utilizing a large language model with a unified prompt, charts can be generated directly from conversations in seconds without the need for additional training. Charts generated by Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer were preferred over extant charts, even when they were deemed unacceptable for entry into the medical record prior to the correction of errors. However, there were several limitations to our study, including poor intra-rater-reliability and a limited number of cases examined. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate that large language models can generate coherent summaries of real-world poison center calls that are often acceptable for entry to the medical record as is. When errors were present, these were often fixed with the addition or deletion of a word or phrase, presenting an enormous opportunity for efficiency gains. Our future work will focus on implementing this process in a prospective fashion.

The Tanta University risk model could help identify patients with acute poisoning who would require intensive care unit level of care.

OBJECTIVE: To independently validate the negative predictive value of the Tanta University risk model for intensive care requirements in poison center telephone consultations with other physicians. METHODS: This study included 400 consecutive patients with acute poisoning. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded during the initial consultation with the poison center. Patients who were already ventilated or on vasopressors at the time of consultation were excluded. The Tanta University risk model score was calculated from the data according to the following equation: Tanta University risk model score = 1.966*Glasgow Coma Scale + 0.329*oxygen saturation (percent) + 0.212*diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) - 0.27*respiratory rate (breaths/minute) + 0.33*standard bicarbonate (mmol/L). Twenty-four hours later, the patients' courses were followed up by telephone. The Tanta University risk model was then compared to a composite endpoint indicating the requirement for admission to an intensive care unit (vasopressors, need for intubation, or death). RESULTS: Four hundred patients with acute poisoning were included. Thirty-seven patients had a complicated clinical course as defined by the composite endpoint. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the area under the curve to be 0.87 (95 percent confidence interval 0.83-0.90). An unfavorable Tanta University risk model score was defined as less than 73.46, using a cut-off derived from a previous study of an unrelated series of patients with acute poisoning admitted to our service. Thirty-one of 37 patients with complicated courses had an unfavorable Tanta University risk model score compared to six patients with complicated courses among 306 patients with a favorable Tanta University risk model score (P < 0.0002, Fisher's exact test). Sixty-three patients had an unfavorable Tanta University risk model score but an uneventful course. The negative predictive value of the Tanta University risk model was 0.98 (95 percent confidence interval 0.96-0.99), sensitivity was 0.84, and specificity 0.83. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study of poison center telephone consultations, the Tanta University risk model was significantly related to the outcomes in patients with acute poisoning. Patients with a favorable Tanta University risk model score (greater than or equal to 73.46) were unlikely to need intensive care unit level of care.