title: Use of poisons information resources and satisfaction with electronic products by Victorian emergency department staff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  ED staff use a range of poisons information resources of varying type and quality. The present study aims to identify those resources utilised in the state of Victoria, Australia, and assess opinion of the most used electronic products.
  
  
  METHODS
  A previously validated self-administered survey was conducted in 15 EDs, with 10 questionnaires sent to each. The survey was then repeated following the provision of a 4-month period of access to Toxinz™, an Internet poisons information product novel to the region. The study was conducted from December 2010 to August 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 117 (78%) and 48 (32%) responses received from the first and second surveys, respectively, a 55% overall response rate. No statistically significant differences in professional group, numbers of poisoned patients seen or resource type accessed were identified between studies. The electronic resource most used in the first survey was Poisindex® (48.68%) and Toxinz™ (64.1%) in the second. There were statistically significant (P < 0.01) improvements in satisfaction in 26 of 42 questions between surveys, and no decrements. Although the majority of responders possessed mobile devices, less than half used them for poisons information but would do so if a reputable product was available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The order of poisons information sources most utilised was: consultation with a colleague, in-house protocols and electronic resources. There was a significant difference in satisfaction with electronic poisons information resources and a movement away from existing sources when choice was provided. Interest in increased use of mobile solutions was identified.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fountain
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Reith
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Braitberg
authors.forename: Jaycen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cruickshank
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D011042:Poisons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D011042:Poisons
keywords: Poisindex; Toxinz; informatics; mobile application; poisons information