title: Washington Poison Center as perceived by our state's emergency physicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 1986, we conducted the first survey of Washington emergency physicians about their perceptions of the performance of the Washington Poison Center (WPC); the results were summarized and published. The exercise was repeated in 1993, 1997 and in 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  The original conventional 2-page survey was updated and distributed with an explanatory letter and return envelope to a mailing list obtained from the state chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Responses were tallied, summarized and compared to prior surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For 2005, 612 surveys were distributed; 221 were returned. The average respondent had been in practice for 14 years, with more than 50% functioning in "urban" communities. They reported calling the WPC an average of 19 times per year, and particularly valued being able to consult with a board-certified medical toxicologist in a virtually "STAT'' manner. In more than 80% of calls, the information played a positive role in management of the patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Washington's emergency physicians continue to highly value the WPC's services, with increasing numbers in favor of governmental support of the operation.
authors.affiliation: Washington Poison Center, Seattle, WA 98125, USA. mryuk@wapc.org
authors.forename: William O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caffrey
mesh_terms: D004635:Emergency Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D010820:Physicians; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D014861:Washington