WELCOME TO THE COURSE

The wide use of chemical substances has increased the frequency of acute poisoning cases in health care facilities and emergency rooms.

Adequate and prompt provision of first aid is essential to alleviate the negative health impact of poisoning by chemical products. Therefore, health workers should receive adequate training to solve this public health problem.

This self-learning course is aimed at providing health workers with the necessary tools to face acute poisoning. It is based on the text “Management of poisoning: Handbook for health care workers”, prepared by a group of experts called by the International Program of Chemical Safety (IPCS/WHO).

The course methodology, based on the above mentioned material, was prepared by Dr. Diego Gonzáles Machín and Eng. Marco Ramírez from the Pan American Center for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Sciences, CEPIS/PAHO, with the collaboration of Dr. Susana García from the Programa de Prevención y Control de Intoxicaciones of the Ministry of Health of Argentina.

What are the objectives of the course?

The objectives of the course are:

• to disseminate information, mainly to the inhabitants of rural areas who do not have immediate ccess to medical care when intoxication occurs;
• to suggest possible ways of preventing intoxications in the community; and
• to provide health staff with the necessary knowledge to treat intoxication cases.

What are the components of the course?

The material is divided into 10 chapters that include general information about chemical substances and poisoning, and how to prevent and treat intoxications properly. A glossary of terms is also included and each chapter has a self-evaluation section to test learning.

There are also links to full texts, databases, and other educational material related to this topic that may complement the knowledge.

Who is the target public?

This course is addressed basically to:

• Health agents, who generally provide first aid, take the patient’s temperature and pulse, and provide drugs.
• First aid staff, who rescue people at risk and provide immediate assistance to victims of accidents in absence of a health professional. People who receive training are usually those who arrive first to the place of the accident (for instance, factory or office workers, firefighters, or policemen).
• Professionals without medical preparation (for instance, teachers, agronomists, pharmacists, biochemists, hygiene and safety specialists, scientists, and technologists). Many skilled professionals know about the use and effects of chemical products and, sometimes, only they know about chemical products and toxic substances in communities where there are no doctors. They may be the first witnesses of an accident and usually people turn to when poisoning is suspected. Therefore, they need updated information about first aid in case of poisoning by pesticides, drugs, domestic products, or other substances to advise people on how to avoid these accidents.
• Nurses, medical students, and paramedics, who can use this material for their education and reference.
• Physicians, a part of this information is specifically addressed to local physicians working in sanitary units and rural health centers that lack treatment means and medicines.

What do we expect from you?

We want you to be capable of preventing poisoning accidents and providing a high quality health care to intoxicated people. You are expected to do your best in studying this material and to apply it in your daily practice.

How does the course work and what are the benefits?

For the course to be effective you should study each chapter and develop the self-evaluation section to test the new concepts you are learning. At the end of the course you will pass a final exam in electronic format. If you succeed in passing this exam, CEPIS/PAHO will send you a certificate.

We wish you best success. Welcome to this course!

Please, send any comment or suggestion to: Dr. Diego González Machín.