OBJECTIVES: To assist the healthcare practitioners (HCP’s) in timely identification and management of the poisoning cases as well as educating various population groups on prevention and management of accidental poisoning.

METHODS: It was a prospective study conducted at a South Indian tertiary care hospital for a period of two years. The HCP’s at the emergency were assisted by the poison information centre in timely identification and management of the poisoning cases. Poison management protocols were provided to the treating clinicians as well the clinicians were assisted by timely identification of the poisonous substance through qualitative toxicological analytical services.. Moreover, awareness was created in the primary healthcare centres to avail the poison information services in case of emergency due to poisoning. Educational programs were conducted in rural areas of the district and various population groups were educated on prevention and first aid management of accidental poisonings.

RESULTS: The poison information services were provided to the healthcare practitioners with the aim of better patient care and updating the knowledge. A total of 411 queries were received and answered to the HCPs. A total of 41, biological and nonbiological samples were analyzed. Among 41 samples analyzed, a total of 56.1% samples were found to be positively conclusive, influencing the treatment initiation. Poison Information Leaflets were designed and distributed during educational programs to create awareness among general public on prevention and management of accidental poisoning. The awareness was also created among HCP’s and general public through social media as well as by developing exclusive website and an Android mobile application which was available cost free to the users for accessing the information.

CONCLUSIONS: Poison information centre successfully assisted clinicians in timely identification and management of poisoning cases and was well appreciated for its existence. A healthy response was observed from the general public for conducting the educational programs.