Vol. 10, No. 1
March, 2000
Women's Gastrointestinal Health Center
Hernia Surgery: A New Look...A Speedier Recovery
Legislative Grant Supports Specialized Endoscopy Equipment
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Gives Patient a Starring Role in His Daughter's Wedding
An Update on Childhood Immunizations
Children Get a Dose of TLC with Winthrop's
‘Positions for Comfort' Program
Winthrop's Pediatric Health Immunization Program is a Statewide Model
Hearing Screening Performed on All Newborns
Spanish Language Course for Pediatric Residents
Psychological Support Adds Compassion to Pediatric
Care and Training
Long Island Regional Poison Control Center at Winthrop Warns:
‘Children Act Fast - So Do Poisons'
Bereavement Support Helps Parents Cope with
"Hidden Loss"
Nursing Informatics Enhances Patient Care
Reverend Winfried R. Hess Appointed
Director of Pastoral Care and Education
Auxiliary Receives HANYS Advocacy Award
John F. Aloia, MD and Joan Cox Elected to Winthrop's Board of Directors
Copyright
Back to Publications
|
Poison Prevention Techniques for Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers
- Keep the Poison Control Center's telephone number handy. It is (516) 663-2650.
- Activated charcoal and a bottle of syrup of ipecac should be kept in the home, but should only be used when recommended by the Poison Control Center.
- Never call medication "candy."
- Do not take your medication in front of a child. They often imitate adults.
- Use products with child protective caps. Some small children are able to open these, so keep them out of sight and reach of children.
- Never let children play with medication bottles.
- Store all medications on a high shelf, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Keep pocketbooks and weekly medicine holders out of sight and reach of children.
- Turn on a light and always read labels when giving medications.
- Never transfer medications or household products from their original containers.
|
 arch is National Poison Prevention Month, and in recognition, the Long Island Regional Poison Control Center (LIRPCC) at Winthrop reminds parents and other caregivers that "Children Act Fast - So Do Poisons." The theme this year is intended to highlight the fact that the majority of accidental poisonings occur in children under the age of five.
"One in five accidental poisonings by children under the age of five involves their grandparent's medication," noted Thomas R. Caraccio, Pharm.D., Coordinator and Registered Pharmacist of the LIRPCC. This finding led professionals at the LIRPCC to label this phenomenon "The Granny Syndrome."
"Children in this age group cannot read, and don't fully understand the danger," explained Vito P. Mannino, Public Educator for the Poison Control Center. "They just can't tell the difference between a potential poison and candy or juice. And at this stage of their lives, their natural curiosity can cause them to get into things they shouldn't."
The Poison Control Center warns that parents and caregivers need to be particularly diligent about safeguarding youngsters in this age group.
In the event that a child does ingest a chemical or poison, a caregiver's first call should always be to the Poison Control Center at (516) 663-2650. Poison Control's hotline is staffed 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, by registered nurses with additional training in toxicology. The Center is also staffed by a registered pharmacist and managed by a physician, Howard C. Mofenson, MD, who is a specialist in pediatrics, toxicology, and emergency medicine. They offer guidance on handling drug overdoses and poison emergencies, and will contact the local hospital Emergency Department if hospital treatment is necessary.
The Poison Control Center is a resource center for the general public, physicians, and hospital emergency rooms. In addition to managing poison emergencies, its staff offers drug and herbal product information.
For additional information, call the LIRPCC hotline at (516) 663-2650.
|
