Toxicologic Exposures in California Emergency Departments in 2011 and Its Risk Factors

INTRODUCTION: Toxicologic exposures (TE) are a major preventable public health issue, with most cases due to unintentional causes. Although these cases are well documented and reported via the National Poison Data System, there is little information regarding toxicologic exposure cases in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to identify demographic groups at risk for potential poisoning. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. We used data from the California State Emergency Department Database (SEDD) 2011 for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study included 10,124,598 ED visits in California in 2011. The prevalence of TE was 383.4 (379.6–387.3) per 100,000 visits. Toxicologic exposures were most common among patients aged <10 years (555.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 544.5–566.5 per 100,000 visits). Overall, TE was more common among males. White patients showed the highest prevalence of TE compared to other racial groups (P <0.001). Subpopulation analysis showed Native American female patients ages 10–19 had a noticeably higher prevalence of TE (1,464.4, 95% CI: 802.9–2444.9 per 100,000). The prevalence of TE was higher in households of higher median income (P <0.001). Prevalence of TE among those with a history of substance use was also elevated. CONCLUSION: Toxicologic exposure cases in the ED are elevated in particular age and race/ethnicity groups, as well as among those with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. The strength of association between these factors and TE in the general population may be different because we examined ED visits only. Further preventive and education strategies are necessary and should target the demographic groups identified in this epidemiological study.