Carolinas Poison Center Online (CME) Program Course Listing

The following courses are available to registered users. Please complete the registration and login to participate in the Carolinas Poison Center CME.

Courses
  • Antidotes for Chemical / Bioterrorism Agents
  • This on-line course is designed to offer healthcare providers current recommendations for treatment of specific chemical and biological agents. The intent is to provide the clinician with the information on selected antidotes for chemical and biological agents, including the mechanisms of action and potential adverse effects; while providing practical, concise information on the use of such antidotes. In addition, the Stragetic National Stockpile and its activation are discussed. This course is not comprehensive and is intended to enhance but not replace, the experience and knowledge of the clinician. In the event of a chemical or biological event, consultation with local emergency management authorities, a medical toxicologist, or a poison center is recommended.
  • Biotoxic Terrors: Ricin and Botulism
  • This on-line course is designed to offer healthcare providers information on poisoning due to ricin or botulism. The intent is to provide the clinician the information needed to diagnose and treat toxicity arising from exposure to these agents. Additional information is provided to allow an understanding of where these threats may arise from with regards to their extraction and availability. In the event of human exposure to either agent, consultation with a medical toxicologist or a poison center is recommended.
  • Choking Agents
  • This on-line course offers healthcare providers a review of representative respiratory irritant agents, the so-called “choking agents.” Four agents are highlighted: anhydrous ammonia, chlorine, chloropicrin, and phosgene. Chemical properties, common exposure scenarios, toxicity, and management are discussed. The course emphasizes the clinical management including the description of symptoms, physical findings, diagnostic testing, and evidence-based treatment.
  • CN as a WMD Agent: Why So Worrisome?
  • This on-line course offers healthcare providers in-depth information on the recognition and management of cyanide poisoning. The course includes a brief review of cyanide’s chemical properties and pathophysiology. The majority of the presentation covers clinical manifestations and management, including detailed information on antidotes that make up the cyanide antidote kit. Additionally, common and potential scenarios for cyanide poisoning are discussed to heighten healthcare provider’s vigilance for this serious toxin. In the event of human exposure to cyanide, consultation with a medical toxicologist or a poison center is recommended.
  • Metals as Terrorism Agents
  • This on-line course offers healthcare providers an overview of two metals that could be used as terrorist agents to incapacitate groups of people and overwhelm healthcare systems: inorganic arsenic and thallium. Information is provided on the pathophysiology, common clinical effects and presentations, diagnosis and management of poisonings with these agents. The information on arsenic is also of benefit to healthcare providers in North Carolina, since the state has a long history of accidental and homicidal arsenic poisonings. In the event of human exposure to arsenic or thallium, consultation with a medical toxicologist or poison center is recommended.
  • Organophosphate and Carbamate Poisoning
  • This on-line course is designed to offer health care providers information on organophosphate and carbamate poisoning, including poisoning from insecticides, medicinal carbamates, and military nerve agents. This lecture reviews the pathophysiology of organophosphate/carbamate poisoning, typical signs and symptoms, emergency stabilizing care, definitive management, and necessary steps to protect health care providers from exposure. The course focuses on acute management in the EMS and hospital setting, but covers ICU and post-ICU care as well. This course is not comprehensive, and is intended to enhance (and not to replace) clinical acumen and experience. If the provider lacks prior clinical experience in management of acute toxicity, consultation with a medical toxicologist or a poison center is recommended.
  • Overview on Vesicant War Agents
  • This on-line course is designed to offer healthcare providers information on sulfur mustard and other vesicant agents. The intent is to provide the clinician the information needed to diagnose and treat toxicity arising from exposure to these agents. Additional information is provided to allow an understanding of where these threats may arise from with regards to their chemical synthesis or their continued presence in old weapon sites. In the event of human exposure to a vesicant, consultation with a medical toxicologist or a poison center is recommended.
  • Pesticides as Terrorism Agents
  • This on-line course updates healthcare providers on three pesticides that could produce mass casualties or incapacitate large numbers of people if deployed as terrorist agents: methyl bromide, nicotine, and anticoagulant rodenticides. Information is provided on the pathophysiology, common clinical effects and presentations, diagnosis and management of poisonings with these pesticides. The information on anticoagulant rodenticides is also of benefit to healthcare providers, since these ingestions present to emergency departments and other healthcare settings with some frequency. Consultation with a medical toxicologist or poison center is recommended for cases of exposure to methyl bromide and nicotine or if the provider needs assistance with managing an anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion.