Poison Center Utilization by Correctional Facilities

The medical record database of a Regional Poison Information Center was queried for all exposures that occurred in correctional facilities during a 39-month period. The records of all patients older than 18 years were reviewed for age, gender, substance, route, reason for the exposure, treatment site, and outcome. One hundred twenty-six patients met the study criteria. There were 100 men (79.4%) and 26 women (20.6%). Of the 162 substances involved, the most common were prescription medications (35.2%), followed by nonprescription medications (11.1%) and cleaning products (11.1%). Most common routes of exposure were ingestion (67.7%) and inhalation (21%). Intentional exposures accounted for 53.2% of exposures; the remaining exposures were unintentional. Substance abuse was rare. Most patients (77%) were treated at the correctional facility and did not require outside referral. No fatalities occurred. When a poison center is consulted, most patients can be managed on site, avoiding transfer to an outside health care facility.