An Instrument for Identifying Potential Repeaters Among Accidental Poisoning Victims.

The purpose of this study is to report the development of an instrument that attempts to identify the accidental poisoning victim who is most likely to repeat. Since the average number of episodes for repeaters is approximately three (Wehrle et al., 1961), repeat episodes probably account for about 33% of all poison accidents. Logically, this number could be reduced significantly if at-risk children were identified and they and/or their families treated, and if the administration of the prediction instrument itself could be an occasion for instructing parents concerning the physical and psychological hazards that contribute to poisoning accidents. The Repeat-Poison Accident Checklist (R-PAC) was constructed as an experimental device in an attempt to predict the approximately 25% of all victims who are likely to experience additional episodes. The checklist can be completed by physicians or emergency room staff after observation of the child and a brief interview with parents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)