title: The utilization of poisons information resources in Australasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify poisons information resources most commonly utilized by Australasian Emergency Department staff, and examine attitudes regarding the benefits and user experience of the electronic products used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey tool was mailed to six Emergency Departments each in New Zealand and Australia to be answered by medical and nursing staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty six (71.7%) responses were received from the 120 survey forms sent: 70 (81%) responders were medical staff, the remainder nursing. Electronic resources were the most accessed poisons information resource in New Zealand; Australians preferring discussion with a colleague; Poisons Information Centers were the least utilized resource in both countries. With regard to electronic resources, further differences were recognized between countries in: ease of access, ease of use, quality of information and quantity of information, with New Zealand better in all four themes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New Zealand ED staff favored electronic poisons information resources while Australians preferred discussion with a colleague. That Poisons Information Centers were the least utilized resource was surprising.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: john.fountain@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fountain
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Reith
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Clinical decision support; Electronic/online support; Patient management; Poisoning; Poisons information; Survey