|
Health Commissioner Julia Sheen announced today that officials from the Florida/USVI Poison Information Center will host a lecture series for health professionals and other interested residents territorywide beginning Wednesday.
Dr. Jay Schauben, the director of the Jacksonville, Florida-based Center, in collaboration with the V.I. Department of Health, will discuss critical updates on “Inhalation of Toxic Substances” and “Chemical Warfare Agents” beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. Physicians on St. Croix will have the opportunity to attend the identical lectures beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at the Juan Luis Hospital.
“This visit provides the opportunity to discuss effective and efficient use of the Poison Control Center by Island residents and health professionals, and to offer current information on new poison management techniques and antidotes,” Dr. Schauben said. “Health professionals who provide emergent care for poisonings are encouraged to attend the lectures.”
Sheen urged physicians territorywide to attend as the lectures provide vital information that can always be incorporated in individual practices.
Dr. Schauben, a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center Jacksonville campus, will also meet with Health officials on the continued role of the Poison Control Center and the USVI health community. He will be joined by Vicki Coppen, RN, who serves as Education Coordinator, for the Center.
Since 2000, the Poison Control Center has been responding to emergency poisoning calls from Virgin Island residents. The Center works under the auspices of the Department of Health and directly interfaces with the territory’s hospitals, other health professionals and community organizations to provide emergent care for poisonings, answer poisoning-related questions and provide both public and health professional educational programs.
Residents with questions about poisonings or for poisoning emergencies, can call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or visit
www.fpicjax.org. |
