Assessment of Barriers to Utilization of Poison Centers by Hispanic/Latino Populations

Abstract

Previous research suggests that Spanish-speaking parents and residents of areas with large Hispanic and Latino populations are likely to underutilize the assistance that is available through poison control centers (PCCs). In order to examine any real and perceived barriers to utilization of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES), the only poison control center in the state, an intercept survey was conducted with self-identified Hispanics/Latinos at Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) centers and in nearby grocery stores, bus stops, and public laundromats. Only 38% of the study sample (n = 206) had heard of NJPIES. Common ways to have heard of NJPIES included school or church bulletins, family members, and friends. Twenty-three percent knew the NJPIES's toll-free phone number; 23% knew it was available 24 h per day; and 22% knew that Spanish-speaking personnel were available for assistance. Potential barriers to utilization included not knowing the phone number of the poison center, not speaking English, and not knowing if the poison center could offer any help. Respondent-recommended strategies for increasing awareness of NJPIES among Hispanics/Latinos included advertising on TV, and distributing information through school and church bulletins.

Barriers and Facilitators to Using 9-1-1 and Emergency Medical Services in a Limited English Proficiency Chinese Community

“…Perceiving shortcomings in EMS services for the LEP community, participants described seeking assistance in other ways. This possible underuse of 9-1-1 is consistent with research describing the underuse of phone based emergency communication resources among Hispanic LEP speakers [22,23]. With decreased access to EMS, LEP communities may use alternative strategies to reach emergency departments, which could lead to delays in seeking care and treatment.…”

“…Demographic characteristics overlapping with LEP populations, such as lower health literacy, lower socioeconomic status, and ethnicity (being a person of color) have been associated with delays in seeking medical care during emergencies [15][16][17][18][19][20]. Much of the research regarding LEP communities and emergency communication has focused on Hispanic populations and the utilization of poison control centers, suggesting speaking a language other than English is a barrier to utilizing phone-based emergency resources [21][22][23]. Less is known about the communication between LEP callers and EMS.…”

Poisoning hospitalization correlates with poison center call frequency

“…This contrasts with the finding that hospital poison cases followed by a PCC had a shorter LOS than those matched cases not followed by a PCC [29]. In the current study, the cases were blinded in each data set, therefore we were unable to evaluate whether hospital cases that were managed specifically by the CPCS had shorter LOS than those not directly followed.…”

Determinants of U.S. poison center utilization

“…Up to this point, small studies have focused on barriers associated with poison center utilization. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Many of these studies were conducted by testing the association of various population characteristics with low poison center penetrance. From these studies it would appear that language, race, and lack of education are important barriers that reduce penetrance within a poison center service region.…”

“…20 Studies conducted within a single state or poison center region indicate ethnicity, language, education, distance 450 T. Litovitz et al from poison center, toll-free access, and educational outreach effort, all influence poison center penetrance to some extent. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Although these studies provide important planning insights for individual poison centers, the results may not generalize to the entire United States. Further, none of these studies ranked the impact of factors influencing penetrance or examined whether poison center operational characteristics such as center accreditation influenced penetrance.…”