MS4 Catalog

West Virginia Poison Center

LOCATION: West Virginia Poison Center, 3200 MacCorkle Ave, WVU Building 4th Floor, Charleston, WV
PRECEPTOR: Rachel Cruickshank, PharmD
DURATION: 2-4 weeks 
OFFERED: Continuously
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 1 student
STATUS: Elective

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this rotation is to provide the medical student with an opportunity to work in the West Virginia Poison Center (WVPC) to triage and respond to callers throughout the state with exposures to toxic and nontoxic substances. Students will also follow patients admitted for the treatment of poisonings and learn the role of poison control and toxicology in the healthcare system.

Patient Care:

  1. Students will answer telephone calls from the public to assess toxicity of ingestions and exposures using verified toxic substance materials and resources within the poison center.
  2. Students will utilize verified toxic substance materials and resources within the poison center to provide public health advice and support inpatient treatment of hospitalized patients.
  3. Students will work in teams of inter-professional responders, including medical residents, physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Medical Knowledge:

  1. Understand basic principles of pharmacology and the metabolism of medications.
  2. Identify common medications and substances with toxic potential, as well as signs and symptoms related to toxicity.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of these principles by teaching 2-3 toxicity topics weekly.

Practice-Based Learning:

  1. Review evidence for management of poisonings and toxicity as described in Toxic Substance Review documents, Micromedex database, and the WVPC Guidelines and Reference Index.
  2. Display knowledge of evidence-based guidelines to assist public callers and hospital staff in understanding, monitoring, and managing symptoms of poisoning and toxicity.

Communication Skills:

  1. Communicate evidence-based information and interventions in plain language easily understood by patient callers.
  2. Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to callers at a time of heightened concern in a calm, competent and professional manner.
  3. Provide information that is appropriate and effective for the treatment of toxicity and poisoning to both public callers and treating hospital staff.

Professionalism:

  1. Complete the orientation materials in a thorough and timely manner.
  2. Attend assigned shifts promptly as scheduled and behave in a mature and professional manner throughout.
  3. Maintain awareness of time-sensitive cases and follow up in a timely manner.

Systems-Based Practice: 

  1. Understand toxicology concepts, methods, and protocols designed to respond to individual and community exposures.
  2. Provide clear and basic information to the public and hospital staff within the l medical system at large.

METHODS TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES:

Orientation to WVPC materials, in-person teaching, readings, student topic presentations.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

  1. Students will participate in a WVPC orientation provided by Dr. Cruickshank on first day of rotation.
  2. Documentation by the student will be included in standard chart-check auditing completed by the WVPC staff.
  3. Students will present 2-3 discussion topics per week to Dr. Cruickshank.
  4. Students will receive feedback on Fridays with Dr. Cruickshank.

 

PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE ROTATION:

Students should communicate any previously scheduled conflicts or absences expected during the rotation. Students will report to Dr. Cruickshank’s office at 9am on the first day of the rotation. Students will complete five shifts per week, 7am-3pm, Monday-Friday.