A Profile of Calls to a Poison Information Center Regarding Older Adults

The authors sought to examine the nature of calls to poison information centers by adults ages 50 & over, using data from the national Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. The results indicated that females’ poison experiences were more likely the result of therapeutic error, adverse drug reactions, ingestions, & the acute-on-chronic class. Older age was inversely associated with acute class, suspected suicide, food poisoning, & inhalation & dermal exposures. The implications of these findings are discussed. (25 refs)