Posters IV - The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology

to a redesign. Conclusions: An educational program utilizing the medicine safety guidebook will
emphasize teaching areas that were identified during the field test as confusing. In particular, the meanings
of drug interactions and auxiliary labels will be clarified to assure comprehension.
275
Developing a Mobile App to Promote the Poison Control Services
Iana M Simeonov 1 , Kristina M Hamm 1 , Stuart E Heard 1
1 UCSF-California Poison Control System, San Francisco CA USA
Background Poison exposure is the 2nd leading cause of injury and death to children 0-5 years in the
U.S. However, parents are largely unaware of poisoning risks, often confused about poisoning prevention
strategies and unfamiliar with poison control centers. Over 300,000 mobile apps have been developed in
the last three years. The most used mobile apps in the U.S. are games ("gaming"), news, maps, social
networking and music. The average smartphone user has 40 apps on their phone. Data from the American
Association of Poison Control Centers shows over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications
accounting for the majority of exposures in children. In a series of recent focus groups, parents also
reported concern around colorful "pills" that can be mistaken for a treat. Objective Choose the most
popular mobile application (app) platform, create and launch a free mobile app, and determine if could be
a valuable part of an overall marketing strategy for a poison control program. Methods Consumer
feedback about how people were playing a popular online poison awareness game led to the consideration
of a mobile app. Adult consumers described playing along with their children, teachers reported using the
game in elementary and middle school classrooms, and pharmacy students related playing against each
other. An large number of consumers reported using an internet browser on a mobile device to play. This
led to the conception, design and coding of an app version of the game in 3 weeks. Users can also add 1-
800-222-1222 to their contacts list with one click. The app was submitted to Apple, vetted and placed in
the Apple App Store in 10 days. A Spanish version has been submitted. A promotion and media strategy
heavily targeting bloggers, tech websites, and health reporters was implemented. Results The free English
app, launched for National Poison Prevention Week 2011, had 200 downloads in its first week, reached
1039 downloads within 3 weeks and has a 5 star rating from reviewers. Conclusions The first gaming app
for poisoning prevention and service promotion generated over 25 media mentions and articles on
traditional news and blogging sites nationally, raising the visibility of poison centers and the issue of
poisoning prevention. Gaming has enormous potential to help disseminate public health messages in a fun,
engaging and creative way.
276
Poison Center role in responding to a critical drug shortage
Cynthia Lewis-Younger 1 , Denise Becker 2 , MIchelle Rutledge 1 , JoAnn Chambers-Emerson 1 , Katelyn
Dervay 2 , Henry J Pittman 1
1 Florida Poison Information Center- Tampa, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa FL USA
2 Tampa General Hospital, Tampa FL USA
Background: Coral snake envenomation is rare. Even where bites occur most frequently, few hospitals
average more than one bite per year. The underlying rate of morbidity and mortality is unknown, but bites
are potentially deadly. Only 1 death has occurred since the approval of the antivenin, but people who have
received delayed treatment have had neurotoxicity. Some have required ventilator support. In 2003,
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals discontinued manufacturing of North American Coral Snake Antivenin. All