TPCN SPI Spotlight: South Texas Poison Center Arika Mike

1. Tell me your history with poison control and how you became a SPI. (Length of time worked there/background/passion for this, etc.)

I have worked as a SPI for nearing two years, starting at the New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center and now currently at the South Texas Poison Center. I have had an interest in poison control since I was a student pharmacist at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. I served as Poison Prevention Co-Chair for the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy professional organization at my school during my 2nd year and completed a rotation at the New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center during my 4th year. After graduating pharmacy school, I completed a PGY-1 Community Pharmacy Residency with Baylor Scott & White Health. I was able to do a rotation at the Central Texas Poison Center where my passion for poison control grew even further. I appreciate that I get to directly help my community by providing quality information to patients and providers in emergency situations.

2.  I’m sure you hear a lot of interesting stories when answering calls, but what is one story that sticks out in your head that might have been scary, but turned out funny and/or everything worked out after the call.

I got a call from a mom recently and her child had got into a Tide Pod that had burst in the child’s mouth, the child was vomiting at the time and mom was very concerned. I told mom that we can watch this at home since it had just happened and sometimes the soap in the Tide Pods can be upsetting to the stomach. I told mom what "red flag" symptoms that she would need to go immediately to the hospital for (continued vomiting, trouble breathing, drowsiness or coughing). When I called back mom didn’t answer, but after the second call a few hours later I was able to speak with mom. She ended up taking the child to the hospital because of drowsiness. The patient developed no further symptoms at the hospital. Mom voiced gratitude for poison control being there to walk her through a scary situation and that I had taken the time to follow-up with her to make sure the child was okay.

3. What do you think people need to know about the people who answer the phones for poison control?

Often callers wonder why we ask so many questions during a call from their child’s weight to whether they have any health problems. I think people need to know that the specialists who answer the phones are healthcare providers who are actively making decisions that impact each individual patient’s care.

4. What do you enjoy most about your job and why?

As a pharmacist I have always enjoyed explaining something that can be complex in a way that a patient can understand. With poison control I am able to do this, and I enjoy working with unique and interesting cases.

5. Why do you think it is important for people to have poison control as a resource for emergency help?

I think it is important for people to have poison control as a resource because many exposures can be managed at home, which is a huge cost saver for patients and for the public.