The Name and Phone Number of the Patient - The name of the person exposed to a poison is important when we check back about the exposure or if the APC refers the person to the hospital. In situations where a person is referred to the hospital, APC will call the hospital with information about the exposure and treatment recommendations. The Poison Center staff needs the patient's weight to calculate the severity of the exposure and determine the appropriate treatment. Age is important because the safe level of many overdoses varies with age. Children and the elderly are the most susceptible groups to medication overdoses.
Age is also important in determining the most appropriate treatment.
The Patient's Medical Condition - Preexisting health conditions and medications that the patient is taking routinely can influence the recommended treatment. Past allergic reactions also are important for the Poison Center staff to know in order to make appropriate treatment recommendations. Exact Name of the Product - Many household and yard products have similar actions but different active ingredients. The active ingredient is important for the Poison Center staff to know in order to make appropriate treatment recommendations. The same is true for medications.