University of Virginia Health System

U.VA. HEALTH SYSTEM ESTABLISHES THE STATE'S ONLY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

The University of Virginia Health System Center for Clinical Toxicology, the only center of its kind in the state, has begun operations. A collaborative initiative between the emergency medicine department and the Health System, the Center for Clinical Toxicology houses the clinical, research and educational programs related to toxicological emergencies and occupational poisons. With its 24-hour physician coverage, the center has a goal of offering its services to communities where toxicological emergency care may not be available.

Medical toxicology is a specialty area that allows for the identification and treatment of chemical-induced disease, environmental and hazardous material exposures, and other toxicological emergencies. It is linked with poison centers, emergency departments, physicians and public health departments throughout the state.

The Center for Toxicology offers evaluation and treatment for both emergent and non-emergent toxicological exposures including:

• Acute and chronic industrial chemical exposure
  
  
• Acute and chronic agricultural chemical exposure
  
  
• Smoke inhalation
  
  
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
  
  
• Hydrofluoric acid exposure
  
  
• Ethylene glycol/methanol/glycol/ether exposure
  
  
• Heavy metal toxicity
  
  
• Solvent exposure
  
  
• Acute drug overdose
  
  
• Drugs of abuse toxicity

U.Va. Health System emergency medicine administrators believe the current state of the nation has demonstrated the need for strong medical toxicology programs throughout our country.

We live in a time when the need for expertise in the area of medical toxicology including occupational toxicology has never been greater, said Dr. Marcus Martin, chairman of emergency medicine at U.Va. Health System. The Center for Clinical Toxicology and the Division of Medical Toxicology in the Department of Emergency Medicine has that expertise and we will strive to create a healthcare network that specializes in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chemical illnesses and chemical emergencies.

Two medical toxicologists at U.Va will staff the center. Dr. Christopher Holstege, director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Dr. Mark Kirk, director of the medical toxicology fellowship program and associate medical director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center at U.Va. Health System, are the only two toxicologists practicing medical toxicology full-time in Virginia.

July 17, 2002