Toxicology

Medical toxicology involves the evaluation and treatment of ingestions, overdoses and accidental poisonings as well as the field of toxinology or naturally occurring toxins from snakes, spiders, plants and mushrooms. Evaluation of occupational and environmental hazards including chemical, nuclear or bioterrorism are also under the domain of medical toxicology. Clinical pharmacology, immunotoxicology, addiction medicine and toxicogenomics are newer areas of research and practice in the toxicology specialty.

The Medical Toxicologist is primarily responsible for consultations through the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The DPIC coverage encompasses over half the population of the State of Ohio including 38 counties from the greater Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Akron areas. An average of 12,000 calls are received per month for exposure or drug information. Bedside consultation is available at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and other hospitals as needed.

Additional collaborative resources include: EPA, NIOSH, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and the Hamilton County Coroner. The Division of Toxicology is also responsible for consultation, medical evaluation and control of anti-venom for the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium. Annual symposiums from ACMT and AACT are also attended. Recent Division presentations include the Wilderness Medical Society Annual meeting, The American Association of Clinical Toxicology, and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine.

Formal research training is available through the Department of Emergency Medicine as well as the Division of Toxicology. Collaborative research is encouraged and partnerships are available through Children’s Hospital or any department in the Colleges of Medicine/ Pharmacy.

The faculty of Division of Toxicology includes several leading experts in the fields of medical toxicology and emergency medicine. There are five board-certified toxicologists available for consultation as well as several ABAT certified poison specialists at the DPIC, including:

• Edward Otten, MD, FACMT, Division Director
• Shan Yin, MD, FACMT, DPIC Medical Director
• Jonathan Colvin, PharmD, ABAT, DPIC Director