Publications by authors named "Carol Wylie"
Self-poisoning in young Australians: The impact of COVID-19 and recent trends following easing of restrictions.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry
January 2025
Article Synopsis
- Self-poisoning is the most common form of self-harm among young people in Australia, and rates have been increasing, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A study analyzed data from poison information centers from 2018 to 2023, finding a significant rise in self-poisoning cases, particularly among females aged 5-19, with an overall increase of 29.6% during this period.
- After pandemic restrictions lifted, there was an initial drop in self-poisoning cases, but they declined slowly overall, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and support for mental health among young people.
Suspected stonefish envenomation in Queensland over eight years: a retrospective series.
Clin Toxicol (Phila)
November 2023
Introduction: Stonefish envenomation results in localized severe pain and swelling and systemic features, including vomiting, arrhythmia, pulmonary oedema, and possibly death. There are limited data regarding the effectiveness of the available antivenom. The aim of this series is to characterize presentations of patients with suspected stonefish envenomation and investigate treatment, including antivenom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Poisoning in the community is common and can occasionally result in serious outcomes, such as organ damage and death. Many cases of poisoning can be successfully managed in the primary care setting.
Objective: This article describes common calls the Queensland Poisons Information Centre (Qld PIC) receives from general practices and provides information on the management of poisoning in the community.
Plant poisonings in Australia: a retrospective series of calls to the Queensland Poisons Information Centre.
Clin Toxicol (Phila)
January 2023
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzes plant poisoning incidents reported to the Queensland Poison Information Centre from 2019 to 2021, focusing on patient demographics and exposure details.
- A total of 2766 plant exposure cases were recorded, predominantly involving children aged 1-4 years, with most incidents being unintentional and occurring via the oral route.
- The majority of patients were asymptomatic or had mild toxicity, while more severe cases usually involved adults engaged in recreational plant exposures.
Unintentional paediatric iron poisoning: A retrospective case series.
Emerg Med Australas
December 2021
Objective: Iron poisoning is a historically important cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality. In recent decades, public health measures have considerably reduced paediatric iron exposures. We investigated unintentional paediatric iron poisoning in children with the aim of developing an assessment approach specific for this group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere is little research examining clinician adherence to specialist toxicological phone advice. Efforts to improve adherence should be sought to optimise the management of poisoned patients. This study aimed to determine if contemporaneous documentation in the patient electronic medical record (EMR) improved adherence to Poisons Information Centre (PIC) advice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth care cost savings from Australian Poisons Information Centre advice for low risk exposure calls: SNAPSHOT 2.
Clin Toxicol (Phila)
July 2020
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the cost savings from Australian Poisons Information Centres (PIC) by reducing unnecessary health resource use due to low toxicity poisonings.
- Two surveys were conducted: one assessed callers' hypothetical actions if PIC didn’t exist, while the other measured how many followed the advice given by PIC.
- Findings showed that PIC advice prevented around 22% of callers from going to the hospital and helped save over $10.1 million in 2017, proving that PICs provide a significant return on investment and are a cost-effective service.
Article Synopsis
- Button battery ingestion is a growing global concern, particularly noted in Australia, where healthcare system shortcomings have led to treatment delays and increased risks, especially among children.
- A study conducted by the Australian Poisons Information Centre analyzed 578 button battery exposure cases, revealing that many incidents involved young children and batteries from common household items like toys and remote controls.
- The findings suggest that educational campaigns, improved professional guidelines, and enhanced safety features could help mitigate the dangers of button battery ingestion and improve response times in healthcare settings.
Objectives: To characterise the types of calls received by Australian Poisons Information Centres (PICs) in Australia, and to analyse poisoning exposures by age group, circumstances of exposure, and the types of substances involved. Design, setting: Retrospective analysis of call records from all four Australian PICs (national coverage).
Main Outcome Measures: Basic demographic information; exposure circumstances, substance types involved in each age group; recommendations for management (eg, stay at home, go to hospital).
Unintentional insecticide poisoning by age: an analysis of Queensland Poisons Information Centre calls.
Aust N Z J Public Health
October 2016
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed data from the Queensland Poisons Information Centre to understand acute insecticide poisoning in children under five and how these incidents relate to different ages.
- Of 743 insecticide-related calls, nearly half (364) involved young children, with one-year-olds being the most affected, mainly through mouthing or ingesting materials.
- The findings suggest that normal developmental behaviors in toddlers contribute to insecticide exposure, indicating a need for strategies to reduce poisoning risks in young children.
Objective: Accidental daily dosing of methotrexate can result in life-threatening toxicity. We investigated methotrexate dosing errors reported to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS), the Therapeutic Goods Administration Database of Adverse Event Notifications (TGA DAEN) and Australian Poisons Information Centres (PICs).
Design And Setting: A retrospective review of coronial cases in the NCIS (2000-2014), and of reports to the TGA DAEN (2004-2014) and Australian PICs (2004-2015).