Richard Dart, MD, PhD, and Barry Rumack, MD, both from the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver, Colorado report on intravenous acetaminophen dosing errors in the United Kingdom in 2010 – Regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom reported 23 cases of single or repeated dosing errors using the intravenous (IV) form of acetaminophen in children younger than a year old." The authors said that "most involved a 10-fold error in young children, which resulted from calculating the dosage of the solution in milligrams, but then administering it in milliliters." Read More.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/01/18/peds.2011-2345.abstract

RMPDC Medical Toxicologist, Dr. Jennie Buchanan answers questions about drugs used in drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases – Read the Quarterly Newsletter for the Colorado Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Project.

CBI’s 11th Annual Biopharmaceutical Contact Centers – Kurt Ammon, Operations Manager will present at this conference entitled “Optimize Multi-Channel Engagement, Enhance Operating Structure and Improve ROI” on January 23-24, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Learn more about cutting edge and diverse topics that provide case studies, tools and best practices to communicate and deliver the value a contact center brings to a life science organization and its customers. View agenda or register at www.cbinet.com/contactcenters

CDC Reports Increase In Accidental Childhood Overdoses In US. "Even with improvements to packaging, no medication package can be 100% childproof," Richard Dart, MD, PhD. president of the American Association of Poison Control Centers – The CDC reports that the number of accidental overdoses in young children has increased by 20%. "Poison centers receive calls every day about young children getting into medicines without adult supervision; that's why we encourage all parents and caregivers to follow these simple steps to ensure their child's safety," Richard Dart, MD, PhD. president of the American Association of Poison Control Centers and Director, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20111213/accidental-drug-overdoses-on-rise-among-kids

New York Times Article Poison Centers Facing Greater Risks All Around – Dr. Alvin C. Bronstein, RMPDC’s Medical Director and the Director of Surveillance for the American Association of Poison Control Centers provides data that discusses the challenges facing Poison Centers.

Dr. Patty Gabow is named Denver’s 2011 Healthcare Leader of the Year – Dr. Gabow accepted this award at the October 20, 2011 Power Book luncheon hosted by the Denver Business Journal. In her acceptance speech Dr. Gabow remarked that she was accepting the award on behalf of more than 5400 employees at Denver Health who work side-by-side to provide patient care for some of Denver’s most vulnerable residents. She gave accolades to the staff for their commitment to quality that ranks us number one among academic medical centers in patient survival. Other nominees for this award included Senator Betty Boyd, Gary Campbell (Centura Health), Bill Lindsay (Lockton Co.), Donna Lynne (Kaiser Permanente Colorado), Jim Riesberg (Colorado Insurance Commissioner), Mimi Roberson (P/SL); Bruce Schroffel (UCH); Steven Summer (CHA), Kent Thiry (DaVita).

Got Drugs! Turn in your unused or expired prescription/over-the counter medications for safe disposal – The Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, working with the DEA, will be accepting your unused or expired prescription/over-the counter medications for safe disposal on October 29th from 10am to 2pm. More information. You can take action to prevent medicine poisoning!

Understanding the Nonmedical User of Pharmaceuticals – Richard C. Dart, MD, PhD, Director of Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center presented at the September 7, 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The presentation focused on opioid substance abuse and how the RADARS® System uses six different avenues to provide multiple perspectives on the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription medications.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) today introduced its new blog designed to engage in a national conversation about poison prevention and the life-saving services offered by poison centers – The new blog is located at www.aapcc.wordpress.org. “The great thing about a blog is that it provides a forum in which poison centers and the public can discuss important poison-related issues,” said Dr. Richard Dart, AAPCC president and director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center. “It also will give the public some insight into the workings of poison centers and how they help safeguard the health of all Americans.”

Eric Lavonas, MD, Associate Director, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center appointed to the Advanced Life Support Committee – Eric Lavonas, MD has been appointed to a 2-year term on the American Heart Association’s Emergency Cardiac Care – Advanced Life Support Committee. This Committee oversees cardiac resuscitation treatment recommendations in the US.

Alvin Bronstein, MD, Medical Director, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center is the lead author on Carbon Monoxide Exposures — United States, 2000–2009 – Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in the United States. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that usually remains undetectable until exposure results in injury or death. Alvin Bronstein, MD, is the lead author on Carbon Monoxide Exposures — United States, 2000–2009 published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mor