Transcript POISON PREVENTION FOR SENIORS

POISONINGS SPAN A LIFETIME
Donna Lotzer, Clinical Pharmacist
Poison Education Coordinator
UW Hospital and Clinics
Poison Prevention Center
POISONS CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE !
sspprittzzzz
Glass
Cleaner
LEARN ABOUT “OOPS MOMENTS” AND
HOW TO BE SAFE AROUND THE HOME
 Learn how to make your
home safe and poisonfree for yourselves and
the grandkids
 Find out how to be safe
with medicines
 Wonder why accidents
can happen to the best
of us?
WHATS AN OLDER PERSON TO DO ?
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Be Aware (room by
room survey)
Take Care (point
out possible
hazards)
Be Prepared (have
pharmacy & poison
center phone
numbers posted)
SOME POISONS ARE NOT OBVIOUS
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Faulty furnaces and
heaters produce deadly
carbon monoxide
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Mixing chemicals can
cause noxious fumes
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“Seeing” without
glasses leads to
mistakes
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Spoiled food looks like
edible food
LOOK-ALIKE PRODUCTS
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“Mistaken identity” leads to problems
Cleaners mixed up with sport drinks
Comet cleanser or Parmesan cheese
Candy looks like kid’s vitamins
Plants and mushrooms – edible or poison
Taking the wrong medicine or dose
Call the poison center for advice!
1-800-222-1222 nationally
SHOE BOXES AND MYSTERY MEDS
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Proper storage for meds
is important
Check to see if they have
expired
Sort through that shoe box!
Caution for duplicate
ingredients in Rx and OTC
products
HAVING A SENIOR MOMENT ??
 A little confused?
 Things happen fast?
 Unexpected visitors?
 Change of routine?
 How did that
happen?
 Should I bother to
check it out?
BEING A GRANDPARENT MEANS…
 Youngsters get into
things “in a flash”
 Potential for
poisoning is higher
than in adults
 Poison center staff
are always ready to
help out – just call
1-800-222-1222
I DON’T NEED A POISON CENTER…OR DO I?
 I can’t read that tiny print on cleaner labels
– OOPS – it says don’t mix them!
 I’ll store items where I can reach them –
OOPS – that’s mouse poison in the pantry!
 My medicines have snap caps to make
opening easy – OOPS – my grandchild just
ate some!!
TIPS TO PREVENT POISONING
 Read/follow labels
 Lock poisons out of
sight and reach
 Look for & use
child-resistant
packages
 Don’t take medicine
in front of children
 Separate storage
for cleaners and
food
GRANDPARENT/CAREGIVER’S ROLE
IN POISON PREVENTION
 Poison prevention saves
everyone time, money,
and worry
 Grandparents/caregivers
need to know:
 When to call the
poison center
 Access is through a
toll-free number:
1-800-222-1222
“MY GRANDCHILD JUST GOT INTO…”
 Separate youngster and item immediately
 Fluids generally OK if ingestion
 Skin & eye exposure will need flushing
 Call the poison center at once - do not wait
for the child to become ill
POISON CENTER WILL NEED TO KNOW...
 What was taken/spilled/splashed/inhaled?
 How much was involved & when did this
happen?
 Age and weight of person?
 How is the toddler/child/adult right now?
THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE IS…
 To prevent poisonings,
watch kids carefully !!
 When in doubt, check it
out with the poison center at
1-800-222-1222