Table 2.
Distribution and description of clinical effect data anomalies reported to poison centers identified by national surveillance, 2008–2012.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Effects Anomalies | 892 | 567 | 960 | 1,005 | 978 | 4,402 |
| Number of incidents of public health significance | 38 (4.3%) | 34 (6.0%) | 11 (1.1%) | 28 (2.8%) | 27 (2.8) | 138 (3.1%) |
| Gas/vapor/fumes/smoke | 14 (36.8%) | 14 (41.2%) | 2 (18.2%) | 14 (50%) | 14 (51.9%) | 58 (42.0%) |
| Food poisoning/Water contamination | 9 (23.7%) | 7 (20.6%) | 4 (36.4%) | 2 (7.1%) | 8 (29.6%) | 30 (21.7%) |
| Product contamination/tampering | 2 (5.3%) | 11 (32.4%) | – | – | – | 13 (9.4%) |
| Nonpharmaceutical chemicals | 8 (21.1%) | – | – | 1 (3.6%) | 3 (11.1%) | 12 (8.7%) |
| Unknown/Other | 5 (13.2%) | 1 (2.9%) | 2 (18.2%) | 2 (7.1%) | 2 (7.4%) | 12 (8.7%) |
| Drug/Product misuse | – | – | – | 9 (32.1%) | – | 9 (6.5%) |
| Environmental | – | 1 (2.9%) | 3 (27.3%) | – | – | 4 (2.9%) |
| Most frequently reported specific agent | Carbon monoxide (7, 18.4%) | Salmonella contaminated peanut butter (11, 32.4%) | Gulf Oil spill (3, 27.3%) | Synthetic marijuana/ bath salts (8, 28.6%) | Carbon monoxide (4, 14.8%) | Carbon monoxide (20, 14.4%) |
| Clinical effects** | (n=103) | (n=118) | (n=45) | (n=149) | (n=102) | (n=517) |
| Body system most effected | Gastrointestinal (20, 19.4%) | Gastrointestinal (27, 22.9%) | Neurological (13, 28.9%) | Neurological (29, 19.5%) | Gastrointestinal (22, 21.6%) | Gastrointestinal (84, 16.2%) |
| Symptom/lab abnormality most reported | Diarrhea (6, 5.8%); | Diarrhea (13, 11%) | Edema (3, 6.7%); | Chest pain (7, 4.7%); | Throat irritation (6, 5.9%) | Diarrhea (22, 4.3%) |
*
An incident can be triggered by more than substance type.
**
More than one clinical effect can be reported under a single incident.