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Biomedical subjects

Robin B McFee

Publications and source records attributed to Robin B McFee.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

"Hang Up Your Pocketbook" -- an easy intervention for the granny syndrome: grandparents as a risk factor in unintentional pediatric exposures to pharmaceuticals.

CONTEXT: Although the circumstances are not well studied, grandparents' medications account for 10% to 20% of unintentional pediatric intoxications in the United States. OBJECTIVES: To characterize circumstances leading to and outcomes from pediatric pharmaceutical exposures. To identify preventable risk factors associated with this pattern of injury, referred to as the "granny syndrome." DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review of records of telephone calls made to a certified regional poison control center in the United States. Records were analyzed for all calls concerning children aged 6 years or younger who were exposed to grandparents' medication(s). For statistical analysis, regression and chi(2) analysis as well as Fisher exact tests were used. The sample size provided 80% power to detect a 10% difference at the 5% level of significance. Statistical significance was set at P< or =.05. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURED: Use of child-resistant containers (CRCs), the location of pharmaceuticals prior to pediatric ingestion, and drug classes involved (eg, analgesics, cardiovascular drugs). RESULTS: Of the 200 incidents analyzed, 90 (45%) cases involved CRCs, and 110 (55%) involved containers that were not child resistant. For these incidents, the average age of the child was 18.8 months; the grandparent was aged on average 58.7 years. Most medications had been placed on tables or countertops (91 [46%]), low shelves (57 [29%]), or in pocketbooks (34 [17%]). The type of container in which the pharmacologic agent was stored (CRC vs non-CRC) was not statistically significant (P>.1). Ease of access to medication, regardless of the type of container used, was the only statistically significant outcome (P<.001). In the present study, accidental pediatric exposures most frequently involved cardiovascular (90 [45%]), analgesic (84 [42%]), and psychotropic (32 [16%]) medications. CONCLUSION: Pediatric exposure to pharmaceutical agents is a preventable cause of injury. Physicians have an important opportunity to assist in preventing pediatric pharmaceutical exposures by instructing parents and grandparents on how to better limit children's access to medications as an essential component to enhance child safety.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed2003

A primer for nuclear terrorism.

Mass exposure to radiologic substances presents a unique challenge to the entire response effort, which includes health care professionals, law enforcement personnel, and other first responders. Recognition of signs and symptoms of exposure, and focus on removal and decontamination are priorities of management. Radiation injuries require specialized equipment and access to experts. Patients can have complex patterns of injury, ranging from trauma and the immediate results of an explosion or exposure, to progressive damage associated with radiation sickness. Both conventional injury and radiation illness may require critical care management. Remembering the essentials of first response, that is, treat the patient, not the poison, by addressing the ABCs of airway, breathing, and circulation, is critical to appropriate treatment of radiation exposure. Understanding the basic science of radiologic agents will aid the provider in managing affected patients and preventing further casualties.

Decontamination↗
PubMed2002

Preparing for an era of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Are we there yet? Why we should all be concerned. Part 1.

In the aftermath of September 11th and autumn 2001, tremendous efforts have been expended to enhance national preparedness to protect against terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). However there remain significant vulnerabilities across domains, including communications, health care facility preparedness, professional training, interagency collaborations, public health infrastructure, surveillance capabilities, the food supply, the environment and resource allocation. It is a significant challenge to prepare for an unknown event, without a clear-cut indicator of who to protect and from whom. The daunting tasks of preparing a nation, remedyingyears of under-investment in public health, and promoting cooperative endeavors among agencies unaccustomed to working together cannot be solved merely by money, brief overview training programs, and quick fixes. None the less, much progress has been made and hope is on the horizon. Although it would seem obvious to include toxicologists in WMD planning, often this is not the case. What role should the poison control and toxicology communities play? What follows is the first of a two-part discussion of our current state of WMD preparedness and the vulnerabilities we must address. Part 2 will examine possible solutions and discuss the critical leadership role toxicology can play in this important arena.

Algorithms↗