Botulinum Toxin PoisoningModule information
Prevention
Screening
Diagnosis
Consultation for Diagnosis
Hospitalization
Non-drug Therapy
Drug Therapy
Patient Education
Consultation for Management
Follow-up

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Consultation for Management
  • Consult a pulmonologist or critical care physician for help in managing ventilation.
  • Consult speech and physical therapists early in the course of the disease to help prevent complications.
  • Consult with the CDC in managing suspected cases of botulinum toxin poisoning.


Consult a pulmonologist or critical care physician for help in managing ventilation. C

  • Consult a pulmonologist or critical care physician for assessment of the need for mechanical ventilation and protection of the airway from secretions.
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Consult speech and physical therapists early in the course of the disease to help prevent complications. C

  • Consult a speech and swallowing specialist to:
    • Assess the risk for aspiration
    • Facilitate the patient's training on an assist device to improve communication
    • Develop a program to promote strengthening of the vocal cords and pharynx as recovery from weakness continues
  • Consult a rehabilitation specialist to advise about and design a program for positioning and splinting early in the course of the disease.
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Consult with the CDC in managing suspected cases of botulinum toxin poisoning. C

  • Contact the CDC (24-hour emergency telephone number: 770-488-7100) for:
    • Help in collecting samples and determining and instituting treatment
    • Current information on dosing of equine antitoxin
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FAQs
The American College of Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council for continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians. The American College of Physicians designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Purpose: This activity has been developed for internists to facilitate the highest quality professional work in clinical applications, teaching, consultation, or research. Upon completion of the CME activity, participants should be able to demonstrate an increase in the skills and knowledge required to maintain competence, strengthen their habits of critical inquiry and balanced judgement, and to contribute to better patient care. Disclosures: Larry E. Davis, MD, FACN, FACP received honorarium from Merck & Co., provided expert testimony, received grants from the VA, NIH, and the University of New Mexico, received royalties from Fundamentals of Neurologic Disease. Deborah Korenstein, MD, FACP, Co-Editor, PIER, has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Richard B. Lynn, MD, FACP, Co-Editor, PIER, has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.


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