Citation

Vilke GM, Jacoby I, Manoguerra AS, Clark R. J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. 1996; 34(1): 53-58.

Affiliation

University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 92103-8676, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Marcel Dekker)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8632513

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the state of disaster readiness of poison control centers, a survey questionnaire was sent to all 96 institutional poison control center members of the American Association of Poison Control Centers in the US, both certified and noncertified programs. DESIGN: The data reported are the results and responses from 76 of 96 (79.2%) poison control centers. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of responding centers have written disaster plans, with 25% having drills to practice the plans. Of the centers that do not have a written plan, the majority have policies and procedures in place to address physical plant damage, increased phone traffic, loss of phone systems and malfunction of computers. Eighty-six percent of respondents have a back up generator, and 82% have an uninterruptable power supply in place. Fifty-four percent have a back up phone system and 33% have cellular phone capacity. Forty-six percent of responding centers have arrangements with other agencies in the event of a disaster. Only half of the managing directors of the responding centers believe their center can meet the public's needs in the event of a disaster.

Language: en