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Effect of the first wave of COVID-19 on Poison Control Centre activities in 21 European countries: an EAPCCT initiative.
Hondebrink, L; Zammit, M; Høgberg, L C G; Hermanns-Clausen, M; Lonati, D; Faber, K.
  • Hondebrink L; Dutch Poisons Information Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
  • Zammit M; Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
  • Høgberg LCG; Department of Anaesthesiology, The Danish Poisons Information Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Hermanns-Clausen M; Poisons Information Centre, Department of General Paediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.
  • Lonati D; Toxicology Unit, Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Maugeri Hospital, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
  • Faber K; National Poisons Information Centre, Associated Institute of the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Clin Toxicol (Phila) ; 60(10): 1145-1155, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2037267
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Public health emergencies often affect Poison Control Centre (PCC) operations. We examined possible effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on call volume, call characteristics, and workload in European PCCs.

METHOD:

All 65 individual European PCCs were requested to supply data on the number of calls and call characteristics (caller, age groups, reason and specific exposures) from March to June in 2018, 2019, and 2020 (Part 1). Number of calls with specific characteristics was normalised to all calls. Calls (N) and call characteristics (%) were compared between 2020 and 2018/2019 (average), within PCCs/countries and grouped. Correlation between call volume and COVID-19 cases per PCC/country was examined. All PCCs received a survey on workload (Part 2). Parts 1 and 2 were independent.

RESULTS:

For Part 1, 36 PCCs (21 countries) supplied 26 datasheets. PCCs in the UK and in France merged data and supplied one datasheet each with national data. Summed data showed an increase of 4.5% in call volume from 228.794 in 2018/2019 (average) to 239.170 in 2020 (p < 0.001). Within PCCs/countries, calls significantly increased for 54% of PCCs/countries (N = 14/26) and decreased for 19% (N = 5/26), three of which (N = 3/5) only serve medical professionals. Correlation between call volume and COVID-19 cases was (non-significant) positive (Rho >0.7) in 5/26 PCCs/countries (19%), and negative in 6/26 (23%). Call characteristics (median proportion of grouped data in 2018/2019 vs. 2020) changed fewer medical professionals called (40 vs. 34%, p < 0.001), calls on intentional exposures decreased (20 vs. 17%, p < 0.012), as did calls on patients between 13 and 17 years (5 vs. 4%, p < 0.05). Calls on specific exposures increased; disinfectants from 1.9 to 5.2%, and cleaning products from 4.4 to 5.7% (p < 0.001). For Part 2, 38 PCCs (24 countries) filled the survey on workload (number/length of shifts and time on PCC duties), which increased in 23/38 PCCs (61%), while 10/38 (26%) worked with fewer employees.

CONCLUSIONS:

Obtaining aggregated European PCC data proved challenging but showed an increase in overall call volume and workload during the first COVID-19 wave. Call characteristics changed including fewer calls from professionals and more calls on specific exposures. Within single PCCs/countries a variety of effects was observed.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disinfectants / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Toxicol (Phila) Journal subject: Toxicology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 15563650.2022.2113094

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Disinfectants / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Clin Toxicol (Phila) Journal subject: Toxicology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 15563650.2022.2113094