Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Project Director: LaDonna Gaines Address: 1600 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233-1711 Phone: 205-638-6343 Fax: 205-638-3946 Email: LaDonna.Gaines@childrensal.org Website: childrensal.org/apic Grant Funds Requested: $356,808 PROBLEM: The Alabama Poison Information Center at Children’s of Alabama (APIC COA) provides statewide poison information. APIC received >52,000 calls resulting in >37,000 cases and made ~60,000 follow-up calls. Although demands on the programs and services have increased over the last several years, budget constraints and the lack of extramural support have had an adverse impact on enhancing or improving services. Areas of need: Support for poisoning prevention activities – 1) Maintain and enhance local, regional, and statewide outreach. 2) Continue to participate in activities for healthcare professionals and the public pertaining to poisoning prevention. 3) Increase outreach in counties where utilization is lowest. Provide high-quality guidance and information to callers to the Poison Help Line - 1) maintain and enhance poison information staff RN and pharmacists’ hours as needed to support increasing case demands. 2) salary support for key staff is needed to dedicate protected time for continuing education. 3) provide access to toxicology guidelines that are created and maintained by the Medical and Clinical Toxicologists. 4) support for a board-certified medical toxicologist and the clinical toxicology consultation backup service that is needed to provide clinical oversight and consultation as required by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). 5) maintain the percentage of human exposure poisoning cases with a follow-up to known outcome contact of 74.5% On Site and 80.2% Already in HCF + Referred to HCF. 6) continue quality assurance (QA) of new staff at 100% and maintain daily QA by the APIC QA Committee. Provide treatment recommendations for when poisonings occur - 1) maintain adequ ate staffing to answer the poison center hotline. 2) maintain an abandonment rate of < 3%. 3) maintain access for all staff to all toxicology guidelines. Collect data related to poisonings and poisoning outcomes - 1) maintain documentation of incoming calls and follow-up calls; 2) continue monitoring weekly trends of poisonings 3) monitor auto-upload of data to the National Poison Data System (NPDS). Use data to inform public health and emergency preparedness responses - 1) continue weekly submissions to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) regarding Delta 8 exposures received by APIC. 2) continue weekly evaluations of What’s Trending and submit to ADPH 3) continue quarterly submissions to the Central Data Repository; 4) begin statewide Advanced Hazmat Life Support training for first responders. METHODOLOGY: The project director (PD) will monitor evaluation metrics related to support of poisoning prevention activities, providing high-quality guidance and information to callers to the Poison Help Line, providing treatment recommendations for when poisonings occur, collecting data related to poisonings and poisoning outcomes, and using data to inform public health and emergency preparedness responses. As metrics are evaluated, appropriate interventions and remediation will be performed. Monthly review and trending of established metrics for each area of need will provide the needed oversight and direction of the project. Reviews are enabled by ToxSentry, NPDS, HCCA reports, etc. Financial metrics will be monitored monthly and adjusted by the PD. COORDINATION: Collaboration of COA, UAB Department of Peds, UAB and COA Emergency Medicine, Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL, and others will support educational initiatives. EVALUATION: Scheduled evaluation of stated objectives and trending of metrics outlined for the project will be coordinated by the PD. These metrics represent both processes and outcomes relevant to grant objectives, AAPCC accreditation crite ria and financial efficiency.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
