Modeling the cost-effectiveness of a regional poison control center using decision analysis

Abstract

Using decision analysis techniques, the cost-effectiveness of two alternatives for treating human poison exposures were modeled. The alternatives were the treatment of poisonings with the services of a regional poison control center versus without access to any poison control center. The relative cost-effectiveness was modeled based on two outcomes (morbidity and mortality) for each of four typical poison exposures: acetaminophen overdose, tricyclic antidepressant overdose, cleaning substance exposure in children, and cough/cold preparation overdose in children. Additionally, analyses were conducted to test the sensitivity of the cost-effectiveness ratio to outcome probability, average inpatient and emergency room charges, and proportion of poison exposures managed on site by the regional poison control center. This research was conducted from society's point of view.