Citation

Ellington L, Sheldon LK, Matwin S, Smith JA, Poynton MM, Crouch BI, Caravati EM. J. Emerg. Nurs. 2009; 35(3): 186-190.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, University of Utah, 10 S 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. lee.ellington@nurs.utah.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jen.2008.02.015

PMID

19446121

PMCID

PMC3167489

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The principal objective of this study was to characterize how nurses and pharmacists at a poison control center (PCC) determine the likelihood of caller adherence to a health care facility referral. METHODS: A focus group was conducted with 6 nurses and 4 pharmacists from a regional PCC. Content analysis was used to determine themes within the discussion. All participants were certified as specialists in poison information (SPIs). RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) SPIs' generation of informal "likelihood-of-adherence" assessments as to whether a caller will follow the recommendation to go to a health care facility, (2) SPI communication strategies used to promote adherence, (3) behavior of SPIs during periods of high call volume, and (4) communication training for PCC staff members. DISCUSSION: This pilot study provides insights in SPIs' current assessment and communication, particularly those related to promoting caller adherence to recommendations.

Language: en