Join the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation at the 2017 Seminar in Forensic Toxicology 'Opioids, Toxicology, and the Law: Medical-Legal Aspects of the Opioid Epidemic' on Monday, December 11 and Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Philadelphia, PA.

This two-day course will focus on the forensic and medical-legal aspects of opioid use, abuse, prescribing, and addiction by presenting real cases encountered by medical toxicology experts. The seminar will be tailored to the interests of physicians and other professionals involved in numerous disciplines, including medical toxicology, forensic and laboratory medicine, addiction medicine, and the legal community.

The course will feature some of the most experienced medical toxicologists in the country discussing the following topics:

Acute Opioid Toxicity 
Driving and Workplace Impairment 
Post-Mortem and Laboratory Issues 
Opioids in Court 
Use of Opioids in Pain Management and Addiction Therapy 
Challenges of Criminal Cases

This unique and timely conference will benefit physicians, pharmacists, nurses, scientists, social workers, attorneys, law enforcement and public health specialists.

The University of Alabama School of Medicine will provide continuing medical education for physicians. Visit webpage for details.

Important Dates:

Now accepting abstracts. Deadline: October 1, 2017. ‘Encore’ presentation of high quality research studies presented at other scientific meetings is encouraged.

Register early and save! Early Bird Rates expire on October 30, 2017.

Link to details: http://www.acmt.net/2017_ACMT_Seminar_in_Forensic_Toxicology.html

Presented By: 
American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) 
Fredric Rieders Family Foundation 
  
Co-Sponsored By: 
Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. 
ACMT Medical Toxicology Foundation

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 31 – April 2, 2017. The conference will feature current research in the field of medical toxicology and will be accompanied by special satellite sessions on the opioid and Zika epidemics.

American College of Medical Toxicology
PHOENIX, ARIZONA (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 28, 2017

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 31 – April 2, 2017 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Isla Verde, San Juan. The conference, titled ‘Toxicologic Impact: Research, Practice, Teach’ will appeal to clinicians, academicians, and researchers in toxicology-related fields. Day One includes cutting-edge research on testing to detect clandestine fentanyl after suspected heroin overdose, mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning, and adverse events associated with use of pit viper antivenom. Presentations and break-out sessions will explore practical aspects of working with Institutional Review Boards, assessing evidence in toxicology, resiliency in research, and measuring the reach of research with tools such as Altmetrics.

Day Two and Three of the Annual Scientific Meeting will feature additional research, as well as presentations from distinguished leaders in medical education, industry, and government. The Presidential Keynote will be given by Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA, from Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics in Baltimore, MD and will explore ethical issues in medical toxicology research. Mark Kirk, MD, a medical toxicologist with the Department of Homeland Security will discuss the intersection of toxicology and terrorism. Other diverse topics will include use of social media to monitor drug epidemics, controlling the Zika Virus epidemic through vector management, advances in medical education methods, the utility of registries in research and practice, and quality metric development.

 

The Annual Scientific Meeting will follow special satellite sessions on Thursday, March 30. The first satellite session, ‘Epidemic of Addiction: Prescription Opioids, Heroin, and Fentanyl’, will delve into the newest data and best practices for treatment, as well as the forensic aspects of the opioid epidemic. The second satellite will be a half-day exploration of the Zika epidemic as well as a scientific analysis of the public health aspects of pesticide use. According to Dr. Bryan Judge, ACMT Board Member and Chair of the Education Committee, “My colleagues and I are eager to learn about some of the latest developments in the field of Medical Toxicology, as well as share our expertise with the public during the Satellite Sessions on the Opioid and Zika epidemics. The educational experiences offered at #ACMT2017 will not disappoint!”
About ACMT

ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

 

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA (PRWEB) JANUARY 11, 2017

ACMT is pleased to announce that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has officially recognized medical toxicology as a medical subspecialty and will be assigning a unique specialty code for medical toxicology beginning in 2017. Medical toxicology, which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, focuses on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. Medical toxicologists are involved in the comprehensive high level care of persons who come into contact with drugs, substances or other agents that may pose a threat to their wellbeing. Published evidence supports the benefit to patients and cost-savings to healthcare facilities of medical toxicology admitting and consult services.

When the new specialty code becomes available, medical toxicology will be appropriately recognized as a unique specialty by CMS and also private insurers. This recognition by CMS empowers medical toxicologists to obtain reimbursement for their service to patients across the United States. The specialty code will enhance the ability to bill for services offered to new patients, and also potentially reduce medical claims denials. In addition, the presence of a specialty code for medical toxicology will help researchers better determine the quality of care rendered and impact medical toxicologists have in group practices.

The ACMT practice committee, lead by Dr. Danyal Ibrahim, spearheaded the application to CMS for the specialty code over the past year and a half with support from the American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and the American Board of Emergency Medicine Medical Toxicology Sub-board. Dr. Ibrahim reports “Without the specialty code, medical toxicology has been in the blind spot as far as CMS and other private insurers are concerned. Our impact on our patients is hidden within other specialties like emergency medicine, pediatrics, occupational medicine and others. This monumental achievement is a game changer and will translate into better care for our patients”.

About The American College of Medical Toxicology

ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will present ‘Chemical Agents of Opportunity’ in two major cities in India September 5-10, 2016 in collaboration with experts in radiation emergencies and bomb/blast injuries. The ACMT program will provide training to emergency personnel and planners regarding both common and unusual chemical industrial agents which may pose a threat.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) September 05, 2016 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is participating in the delivery of a training program in Delhi and Mumbai, India titled "Building Global Capacity to Recognize and Mitigate ‘Agents of Opportunity’ for Chemical and Radiological Emergencies", September 5- 10, 2016. This activity is in collaboration with the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The course is organized by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with CDC and will be hosted at the All India Institute for Medical Sciences and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. This 2.5-day course is designed to familiarize healthcare providers and those who might have a role in planning and preparing for an emergency response to chemical, radiological or bomb-related emergencies. The course will review the medical assessment and management of chemical, radiological and blast injuries.

 

Eight course modules of the ACMT component will cover important chemical hazards including industrial gases and neurotoxins. In addition, delayed-onset toxicants and the psychological sequelae of mass exposures will be discussed. Potential delivery mechanisms of chemical agents, such as through the food and water supplies, and post-event monitoring will be addressed. Overall, presentations by more than a dozen Indian and U.S. experts (from ACMT, CDC and REAC/TS) will provide participants with 2 ½ days of interactive instruction and practice in preparing for, responding to and mitigating chemical, radiological, and explosive disasters. According to Chuck McKay, MD, a medical toxicologist with the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and a member of the course faculty, “This course is an opportunity for individuals from a variety of backgrounds to bring their expertise to bear on complex problems. The interdisciplinary interactions are very rewarding.” More than 200 participants are expected to attend; with backgrounds in Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Public Health and Community Medicine, Disaster Medicine, Nursing and Pre-Hospital Care.

 

ACMT first developed a Chemical Agents of Opportunity course 13 years ago under a contract with the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR). ACMT has provided single-day training in chemical awareness and combined 2-day chemical and radiation awareness training with REAC/TS more than 90 times to more than 10,000 participants in the United States, its territories, and Canada. Organizations may contact ACMT for information on presenting this course to their members. 

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will offer a comprehensive medical toxicology review course September 29 to October 1, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although the course is designed for physicians preparing to take the Medical Toxicology board certification examination in November, it will be of great interest to clinical toxicologists and other healthcare practitioners interested in updating their knowledge of human poisoning.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) June 28, 2016 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will hold its 7th biennial Medical Toxicology Board Review Course on September 29th to October 1st at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The course was developed to prepare medical toxicologists for both the board certification and recertification examinations. The course content additionally serves as a useful review to clinical toxicologistsand other health professionals who encounter patients with toxicology problems in their practice or wish to broaden their understanding of issues related to human poisoning beyond their daily practice.

 

The ACMT Medical Toxicology Board Review Course features presentations from nationally recognized medical toxicologists and capitalizes on the strengths of a multidisciplinary faculty. There will be visual stimulus sessions where attendees review images of clinical findings, toxic plants and mushrooms, and chemical structures for which recognition may aid in determining toxic effects in humans. Participants will receive an electronic syllabus, which includes access to over 700 practice questions and answers. According to Evan Schwarz, MD, a course leader, “The Board Review Course is an essential tool for those preparing to take the certification exam offered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, but also serves as a great refresher in all aspects of human poisoning for anyone who wants to broaden their knowledge of medical toxicology." A discounted registration fee for the course is available through July 10, 2016.

 

Medical Toxicology is a medical subspecialty that focuses on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of human poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. ACMT places a priority on promoting education within the field and on educating the public and other medical professionals on the services provided by its members.

 

About The American College of Medical Toxicology ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

Heidelberg | New York, 23 June 2016

There is merit in looking at the use of wearable biosensors to detect whether opioid users stay focused on their rehabilitation programs. This follows a preliminary study in Springer’s Journal of Medical Toxicology led by Stephanie Carreiro of the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the US. Her team tested the use of wristband sensors worn by a group of patients in an emergency room who were receiving opioids for severe pain relief.

Non-invasive devices worn close to the body are becoming popular among other uses as health tracking tools. These small and user-friendly biosensors provide continuous data that can be stored and reviewed later, or be transmitted wirelessly to allow for real time review and analysis. More data on physical changes and activity are, however, needed before such devices can be put into use as part of substance abuse treatment programs. Numerous studies are underway to determine the biometric profiles of people who are using opioids.

To this end, Carreiro’s team conducted preliminary research involving 30 emergency room patients. They were prescribed intravenous opioid analgesics to treat their acute pain. The particular medication and dose administered to each patient was decided on by the attending physician. The patients agreed to wear a wristband biosensor, which allowed the researchers to detect how the patients’ bodies reacted to the dosages. The patients were asked how often in the past they had used opioids, and their medical records were also investigated. Heavy users were classified as those who chronically used opioids daily, were part of an opioid maintenance therapy program (involving for instance the drugs methadone and buprenorphine) or abused the drug.

All in all, it was possible to detect when an opioid was administered, based on the readings of the biosensor. It picked up that patients moved less after they received the drug, and that their skin temperature also rose. These are among the ways in which the body is known to react to an opioid.

Distinguishable features were also found between heavy and non-heavy opioid users, and between different age groups. In particular, there was a greater decrease in the so-called short amplitude movements of heavy users and older patients, which means that they became less fidgety.

“The patterns may be useful to detect episodes of opioid use in real time,” says Carreiro, who says that more work is needed before wearable biosensors can become part of treatment programs. “The ability to identify instances of opioid use and opioid tolerance in real time could for instance be helpful to manage pain or during substance abuse treatment.”

Biosensors could help monitor developing opioid tolerance and identify people who are at risk for substance abuse or addiction. They could also be applied to opioid addicts in rehabilitation to detect whether they are relapsing. Such relapse data can either be reviewed retrospectively or transmitted wirelessly to trigger an intervention (for example to alert a family member or a community support system).

Reference: Carreiro, S. et al. (2016). Wearable Biosensors to Detect Physiologic Change During Opioid Use, Journal of Medical Toxicology. DOI 10.1007/s13181-016-0557-5

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The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) applauds the announcement by the American Board of Medical Specialties that it will recognize Addiction Medicine as a new subspecialty. Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB)

 

May 04, 2016 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) applauds the landmark announcement by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) that it will recognize Addiction Medicine as a new subspecialty. As specialists in managing drug toxicity and overdoses, ACMT physician members encounter individuals with substance use disorders across the spectrum of their addiction - from experimentation and intoxication to overdose and withdrawal and through relapse and recovery. Dr. Timothy Wiegand, a specialist in both Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine who leads the ACMT Addiction Medicine Section, states “the recognition of Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Medical Subspecialties is a critical component of the response to the public health crisis of addiction. This recognition will promote education and training in the field of addictions so that a physician workforce will develop with the requisite skill and training necessary to effectively identify, prevent and treat individuals with addiction.”

 

The American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), a Member Board of ABMS, sponsored the application for the new field to be a multispecialty subspecialty – meaning that physicians certified by any Member Board of the ABMS can become certified in addiction medicine. The ABMS subspecialty recognition of Addiction Medicine has been championed by the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM), which has established a certification examination and Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process for addiction medicine physicians.

 

Addiction Medicine has become an increasingly important practice pathway for Medical Toxicologists. Over the past few years thirty-four physicians, nearly 8% of all currently Board Certified Medical Toxicologists, have passed the ABAM sponsored Board Certification exam and are now dual certified in Addiction Medicine. This area of focus in Medical Toxicology has become increasingly important for Medical Toxicologists to expand their practice and incorporate more content in addictions not only clinically but academically and in research activities as well. Addiction Medicine is one of the six identified practice pathways that a Medical Toxicologist can develop in professionally.

 

“This is a great day for addiction medicine,” said Robert J. Sokol, MD, President of ABAM and The Addiction Medicine Foundation (formerly The ABAM Foundation). “This landmark event, more than any other, recognizes addiction as a preventable and treatable disease, helping to shed the stigma that has long plagued it. It sends a strong message to the public that American medicine is committed to providing expert care for this disease and services designed to prevent the risky substance use that precedes it.”

 

Addiction medicine is defined as the prevention of the risky use of substances, including nicotine, alcohol, prescription medications and other licit and illicit drugs, and the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease of addictionand related health conditions. Physicians specializing in this field also help family members whose health and functioning are affected by a loved one’s substance use or addiction.

 

Certification by an ABMS-recognized specialty or subspecialty is considered the “gold standard” in physician credentialing, assuring patients that their physician meets the highest standards of practice and clinical Page 2/3 If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the company listed in the press release. Our complete disclaimer appears here - PRWeb ebooks - Another online visibility tool from PRWeb knowledge, and has completed an approved educational program and process.

 

“This recognition by ABMS will help assure patients and their families that the care they receive is grounded in science and evidence-based practice,” added Patrick G. O’Connor, MD, MPH, Immediate Past President of ABAM, who worked closely with APBM and the ABMS Member Boards to help achieve this landmark event. “It will also mean more visibility for this subspecialty among medical students and residents, and will ultimately increase the number of physicians who are trained and certified as addiction medicine specialists.”

 

The Addiction Medicine Foundation has supported the establishment of 40 addiction medicine fellowship training programs to date, based at major medical schools and hospitals across North America, and is committed to establishing a total of 125 fellowship programs by 2025. ABMS recognition opens the door for these fellowships to obtain accreditation through the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), a process already underway.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology, along with other health care organizations, medical experts and consumer advocacy groups, sent petitions to the Joint Commission and CMS requesting changes to pain management requirements. Phoenix, Arizona

 

(PRWEB) April 27, 2016 -- In an effort to reduce overprescribing of opioid pain relievers, the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), together with dozens of health care organizations, medical experts and consumer advocacy groups sent petitions to the Joint Commission, an agency that accredits health care organizations, and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that oversees Medicare. Petition signers are requesting changes to pain management requirements they believe foster dangerous prescribing practices.

 

Over the past 20 years, prescriptions for opioid painkillers have soared, leading to an epidemic of opioid addiction, rising heroin use and a record high rate of overdose deaths. Opioid prescribing increased in response to a multifaceted campaign, which called for pain to be treated as if it was a vital sign, a measure of essential bodily function, which includes temperature, breathing rate, blood pressure and pulse. In 2001, the Joint Commission introduced pain management standards requiring health care organizations to ask every patient about pain, leading to use of pain patient scales and hospital policies requiring aggressive pain management. In their April 13th letter to the Joint Commission, petitioners wrote that mandatory pain assessment in all patients and in all medical settings is “unwarranted and can lead to overtreatment and overuse of opioid analgesics”.

 

The petition sent to CMS calls for removal of the pain questions from HCAHPS, the agency’s patient satisfaction survey used for determining hospital reimbursement rates. In their letter to CMS, petitioners wrote “Aggressive management of pain should not be equated with quality healthcare as it can result in unhelpful and unsafe treatment, the end point of which is often the inappropriate provision of opioids.” The petitioners believe that linking hospital reimbursement to patient satisfaction with pain treatment results in overprescribing of opioids.

 

The opioid epidemic has been a focus of the ACMT for several years. Recently, ACMT released position statements on the use of methadone as an analgesic and on prescription fentanyl products. “While this epidemic is multifactorial, the important fact is that medical toxicologists can be a part of the solution by participating in advocacy and educating physicians. One of the most successful satellite courses at the ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting was the 2015 Addiction Medicine Academy. “ said Dr. Leslie Dye, President of ACMT. The proceedings from this symposium were published in the March 2016 issue of the Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official journal of the ACMT.

 

About The American College of Medical Toxicology ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 23, 2016

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting in Huntington Beach, California from March 18-20, 2016. The conference will focus on mechanisms, diagnostics, and treatments related to metabolic and neurologic toxicity. A review of specific metabolic and neurologic conditions that may predispose to toxicity or be mistaken for toxicologic illness will also be presented. This three-day educational program is intended for physicians and other health care providers wishing to learn about recent advances in the understanding and management of poisoning syndromes. The conference will be held at the Waterfront Beach Resort.

The distinguished speaker lineup includes Wendy K. Chung, M.D., PhD., a Kennedy Family Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Columbia University Medical School. Dr. Chung will be delivering a presentation on the genetic predisposition to toxicity. Barbara S, Koppel, M.D., the Chief of Neurology and a Professor of Clinical Neurology at New York Medical College will present the latest evidence regarding use of cannabinoids in the treatment of neurologic disorders. Additionally, Marya G. Zlatnik, MD, MMS, a Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UCSF, and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with clinical expertise in ultrasound and the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, will lead a discussion on communicating risk to pregnant patients following exposure to neurologic and metabolic toxins. In addition to these presentations, leading medical toxicology experts will discuss mechanisms and treatment of toxin-induced seizures, toxicity of newer anticonvulsants, and the metabolic effects of natural toxins including those found in plants and marine life.

Each day of the conference will feature original research presentations. Topics include newer antidotes for poisoning, such as high dose insulin, lipid emulsion, and hydroxocobalamin, as well as a fresh look at an older antidote, physostigmine. Participants will also attend breakout sessions which focus on clinical toxicology challenges and medical toxicology practice, including use of telemedicine via wearable devices. According to Ayrn O’Connor, MD, an organizer of the ACMT Scientific Meeting, “we have an amazing line-up of talented and engaging speakers with tremendous knowledge and expertise that will make complex neurologic and metabolic mechanisms and their associated clinical nuances entertaining and fun.”

The Annual Scientific Meeting will follow a special satellite session highlighting the role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) and Advanced Drug Testing Interpretation on March 17, also sponsored by ACMT. The satellite session is open to all healthcare providers and will provide in-depth education regarding the role of the MRO, positive test confirmation, and drug testing in addiction treatment. The session will also cover applications and limits of synthetic cannabinoid testing. For more information and to register, please visit:http://www.acmt.net.
_______________________________________________________________        

About The American College of Medical Toxicology
ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will present A Legal “PotPourri” as part of its Seminars in Forensic Toxicology series. This course, which explores medical and public health issues surrounding marijuana, alcohol and prescription medication use and abuse, will be offered on December 9-10, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) May 19, 2015 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will offer a course entitled A Legal “PotPourri” on December 9-10, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. This course is part of ACMT’s educational series ‘Seminars in Forensic Toxicology’ and will take place at the Marriott City Center. The conference will consist of two parts, with single day registration available. Day 1 will focus on a spectrum of medicolegal concepts related to medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. As more states legalize marijuana, new and complicated issues related to increased use and availability arise. The conference will address public health issues such as childhood exposures, as well as describe the legal framework for civil tort and criminal cases involving impairment. Related topics such as marijuana alternatives and interpretation of post-mortem laboratory values will also be discussed.

 

Day 2 explores the intricacies involved in interpreting clinical and laboratory information relating to ethanol. The conference will emphasize practical issues faced by toxicology consultants, such as dram shop laws, postmortem toxicokinetics, and presenting the concepts underlying ethanol tolerance to the lay public. An expert panel will also lead participants in an evaluation of fatalities attributed to prescription medication. Collaborative sessions will focus on providing expert testimony and developing sound expert reports. According to Charles McKay, MD, Vice President of ACMT, “This course promises to be another great opportunity to evaluate the science and communication skills so important to our forensic toxicology practices. In particular, the chance to discuss marijuana issues with medical, forensic, and research toxicology experts is very timely.”

 

The course will be of value and interest to medical and forensic professionals who provide consultation to patients, clinicians, attorneys, and others needing expert advice. This Seminar in Forensic Toxicology will use a variety of formats, including case based didactics, breakout groups, and panel discussions, to maximize learning and engagement. ACMT has had great success in developing programs for medical, clinical, analytical, and other forensic toxicologists. A Legal “PotPourri” will be ACMT’s sixth Seminar in Forensic Toxicology. Lewis Nelson, MD, co-organizer of the conference reports “Collaboration with like-minded professionals benefits everyone by providing different perspectives on overlap issues. These cutting edge topics are particularly relevant given the complexity of applying clinical science in a legal context.” _______________________________________________________________

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The Journal of Medical Toxicology presents a Special Issue for June 2015 entitled “At the Precipice of Quality Health Care: The Role of the Toxicologist in Enhancing Patient and Medication Safety.”

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) June 30, 2015 -- The Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT), the official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), highlights patient and medication safety with its June 2015 issue (Vol. 11, Issue 2). Editorial Board member Jeanmarie Perrone, MD from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, served as the special editor for this issue, which includes several proceedings from ACMT’s 2014 fall symposium “At the Precipice of Quality Health Care: The Role of the Toxicologist in Enhancing Patient and Medication Safety.” The symposium explored safety from several perspectives and provided an overview of organizational, system-based approaches that address these issues. This is an important topic for health systems and clinicians as they dedicate increasing resources to address medication safety. Medical toxicologists are frequently involved in the care of patients who have suffered from medication errors and leadership opportunities in medication safety are emerging as a result of this experience and expertise.

 

Several articles in the June issue of JMT address how clinicians and policy makers can better approach error identification and aim proactively to prevent errors in their organizations and the populations they serve. According to Dr. Perrone, “These proceedings yield a toolbox of critical concepts for clinicians tasked with addressing patient and medication safety issues by thought leaders in the field.” Brenna Farmer, MD from Weill-Cornell Medical Center and Silas Smith, MD from the New York University School of Medicine organized the ACMT symposium. In addition, they co-authored an insightful historical review of patient safety crises and lessons learned, as well as current innovations being applied toward improving safe medication practice. Other articles in this issue discuss the significance of a “Culture of Safety” and “Just Culture” in healthcare organizations; relevant lessons about patient safety learned from high reliability organizations (HROs); and the tools used by the FDA to improve medication safety. Dr. Perrone further adds, “These papers represent an expanded compendium of a growing body of literature on the role of proactive, rather than reactive, approaches to safety, as well as the benefits of including the unique perspectives of medical toxicologists on the front line of patient safety.” These articles and other regular features are available in the June edition of JMT (Volume 11, Issue 2).

 

About The American College of Medical Toxicology ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

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ACMT Announces Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit Sites in
Western United States
The American College of Medical Toxicology announces selection of five Pediatric
Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) sites in the western United States. These sites,
located in federal regions 6-10, serve as referral and information resources for healthcare
providers and the public with environmental health concerns.
Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) June 23, 2015 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) has
selected Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) sites for the five Federal regions in the
western United States. The sites were chosen through a competitive bidding process, as has been done with
prior awards. ACMT manages the PEHSU National Office – Western Operations (PEHSU West) through a
cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Awards were distributed to the following sites in Regions 6 through 10:
Region 6: Texas Tech University in El Paso, Texas
Region 7: Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri
Region 8: Denver Health and Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, Colorado
Region 9: University of California San Francisco, with a satellite at the University of California Irvine
Region 10: University of Washington in Seattle, Washington
The PEHSU Mission is to improve the health of children through enhancing educational and consultative
services to clinicians, health professionals, and the community regarding environmental health concerns.
PEHSUs are based at academic medical centers affiliated with medical schools. They offer health care
professionals and community members expert servicesrelated to the prevention, diagnosis, management, and
treatment of environmentally related health effects. In concert with the American Academy of Pediatrics, which
is managing the PEHSUs in Regions 1 through 5, ACMT is committed to expanding the reach of the regional
units through technology platforms and national partnerships. According to Carl Baum, M.D., “ACMT has
assembled an expert team to roll out new services, including enhanced website, database, and instructional
design capacity. These enhancements will help all 10 Regionsextend their reach and achieve deliverables.”
The long-term goal of the PEHSU program is to reduce children’s exposure to environmental health threats
beginning at the earliest stages of fetal development and prevent the development of adverse effects. Charles
McKay, MD, ACMT Vice-President, reports “It is at the earlier stages of development where the concern for
possible long-term impacts of environmental exposure is the greatest. ACMT will oversee the development of
tools by PEHSUs and other experts to assist healthcare providers in assessing exposure and helping their
pregnant patients to take reasonable steps to reduce risk.”
As part of the educational services provided through the PEHSU network, ACMT hosts monthly educational
webinars for healthcare practitioners on a variety of pediatric environmental health topics. More information on
the PEHSU Webinar Series can be found here: http://www.acmt.net/PEHSU_Grand_Rounds.html
About The American College of Medical Toxicology
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appears here - PRWeb ebooks - Another online visibility tool from PRWeb
ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.
The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who
specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more
information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology encourage physician and patient conversations about evidence-based medicine by identifying five treatments or tests to question. Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB)

 

March 26, 2015 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) jointly released their second list of five specific treatments, tests and procedures that are commonly used, rarely necessary, and potentially harmful as part of the Choosing Wisely® campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. This list builds on the initial five areas of overuse published jointly by the organizations in September 2013. The new list published today identifies five additional targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.

 

The joint ACMT and AACT list identified the following five recommendations:

1. Don’t use phenytoin or fosphenytoin to treat seizures caused by drug toxicity or drug withdrawal.

2. Don’t recommend “detoxification” through colon cleansing or promoting sweating for disease treatment or prevention.

3. Don’t order tests to evaluate for or diagnose “idiopathic environmental intolerances,” “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” or “mold toxicosis.”

4. Don’t perform hair or nail testing for “metal poisoning” screening in patients with nonspecific symptoms.

5. Don’t perform fasciotomy in patients with snake envenomation absent direct measurement of elevated intracompartmental pressures.

 

According to Leslie Dye, MD, President of ACMT, “As a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with expertise in medical toxicology, we recognize the importance of the education of health care providers and patients in making responsible decisions. Use of healthcare resources is most effective and efficient when recommendations are made based on solid research and evidence based knowledge.” Karen Simone, PharmD, President of AACT adds, “As a not-for-profit multi-disciplinary organization of scientists and clinical toxicologists, the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology recognizes the need for guidance in the responsible and appropriate use of diagnostic tests, as well as in the management of pharmaceutical and environmental poisonings and exposures. Such guidelines improve patient care, save money and help healthcare providers, patients and families focus on the most beneficial and cost-effective tests, diagnoses and therapies.”

 

The ACMT and AACT joint list was developed after careful consideration and review of the most current evidence about diagnosis, management, and treatment options toxicology care. List development was led by a Choosing Wisely® Work Group, with members representing various practice settings within the field of Medical and Clinical Toxicology, including ambulatory, acute, and population-based practice. The Work Group solicited input from members of both societies, as well as from leaders within the field. All feedback was reviewed and the final list determined based on a review of scientific evidence, relevance to the specialty, and the greatest opportunity to improve care, reduce cost, and reduce harm to patients. The final list was approved by the ACMT Board of Directors and the AACT Board of Trustees.

 

The release of this list kicks off the American College of Medical Toxicology Annual Scientific Meeting, where specialists in clinical toxicology and poisoning treatment will gather to review the latest scientific research and developments in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human poisoning. The conference will be held in Clearwater, Florida at the Hilton Clearwater Beach. For more information on the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, including lists from more than 70 medical specialty societies, visit http://www.choosingwisely.org. _______________________________________________________________ ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The ACMT mission is to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health through physicians who specialize in consultative, emergency, environmental, forensic, and occupational toxicology. For more information, visit http://www.acmt.net, or follow on Twitter @acmt. AACT is a multidisciplinary organization uniting scientists and clinicians in the advancement of research, education, prevention, and treatment of diseases caused by chemicals, drugs, and toxins. Page 3/3 If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the company listed in the press release. Our complete disclaimer appears here - PRWeb ebooks - Another online visibility tool from PRWeb Contact Information ACMT American College of Medical Toxicology http://www.acmt.net +1 (623) 533-6340 Online Web 2.0 Version You can read the online version of this press release here.

The Journal of Medical Toxicology(JMT), the official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), transitions from a traditional print journal to an online-only format with its March 2015 issue (Vol.11, Issue 1). All issues will now be accessible by computer or mobile device, and PDFs of individual articles will be downloadable. The switch to online-only is in response to overwhelming reader and College input, and allows JMT to join the ranks of other major journals. Benefits include fast publication of important research in addition to environmental friendliness.

Much of the March issue of JMT is devoted to research that will be presented at ACMT’s Annual Scientific Meeting in Clearwater, Florida on March 27-29. Abstracts from over 100 cutting-edge studies and other noteworthy toxicologic reports are included. These synopses inform the future work of other researchers, practicing clinicians, and policymakers on issues ranging from innovative public health initiatives to new insights on the mechanism of lipid emulsion therapy. The March issue offers an early preview of practice-changing manuscripts that will be debated at the scientific meeting.

The March issue also includes a special focus on the operations of medical toxicology services. Three papers, each from a different region of the United States, offer varying perspectives on the delivery of patient care by medical toxicologists. Timothy Weigand, MD, and co-authors in Rochester, NY, describe the economic benefits of a medical toxicology consulting service in a large urban academic tertiary care center. Trevonne Thompson, MD, and co-authors describe a related experience in a private outpatient medical toxicology practice in Chicago. Finally, Steven Curry, MD, and colleagues report better medical outcomes and resource utilization in hospitalized poisoned patients when primarily under the care of physician medical toxicologists in several hospitals in the Phoenix area. These papers add important new knowledge to a growing body of literature on the bottom line benefits of an active toxicology service in healthcare today. These articles and other regular features are available in the March edition of JMT (Volume 11, Issue 1).

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will sponsor the Addiction Medicine Academy in Clearwater, Florida on March 26, 2015. This educational conference is intended for physicians and other health care providers who encounter patients with substance use disorders in their clinical practice. Substance use disorders represent an increasingly important topic in the practice of medical toxicology, as highlighted by the rise of heroin and prescription opioid abuse, concerns over electronic cigarettes, and legalized recreational marijuana. Topics will include reviews of specific therapies used in the treatment of substance abuse, examination of challenges encountered with this special population, and discussions of legal, policy, and administration issues relevant to the clinical practice of addiction medicine.

The conference will begin with a presentation by Eliot L. Gardner, PhD, on the physiological basis of craving, relapse, and addiction. Dr. Gardner is the Chief of the Neuropsychopharmacology Section Intramural Research Program at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Baltimore, MD. Petros Levounis, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ will discuss how an understanding of the neurological basis of addiction can be translated into the clinical approach for treatment of addiction.

Many other distinguished faculty with expertise in addiction medicine and medical toxicology will discuss various approaches to treatment of substance abuse disorders, including use of buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Treatment of addiction in patients with chronic pain disorders will be reviewed by Edwin A. Salsitz, MD, of the Division of Chemical Dependency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. The conference will also use case discussions to illustrate specific challenges, such as the treatment of substance use disorders during pregnancy. Kevin B. Kunz, MD, Vice-President of the American Board of Addiction Medicine will discuss the growth of addiction medicine and pathways to training and practice in this specialty. The course will conclude with a panel discussion focused on the integration of the disciplines of medical toxicology and addiction medicine to serve the growing population of patients with substance use disorders. Timothy Wiegand, M.D., the lead organizer of the conference, states “There is a huge population of patients in need of physicians expert in the treatment of substance use disorders. By bringing together experts in both fields, we hope this conference encourages medical toxicologists to expand their training and practice into this burgeoning area of medicine.”

The Addiction Medicine Academy will take place a day before the start of ACMT’s Annual Scientific Meeting, entitled “Toxicoprevention: Good Intentions, Important Advances, and Unintended Consequences.” The Annual Scientific Meeting will be held at the Hilton Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Florida from March 27th to 29th.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting entitled
“Toxicoprevention” in Clearwater, FL from March 27-29, 2015. The conference will feature
current research that affects the practice of medical toxicology and recent advances in
prevention of toxin-related illness and medication errors.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) January 08, 2015 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will
hold its Annual Scientific Meeting in Clearwater, Florida from March 27-29, 2015. The conference will focus
on how different aspects of prevention can be applied in medical toxicology, from prevention of medication
errors in individual patients to prevention of illness, errors, and waste in the population at large. This three-day
educational program is intended for physicians and other health care providers wishing to understand ongoing
initiatives and advances in prevention science related to toxins and medications and explore the potential
unintended consequences of these initiatives. The conference will be held at the Hilton Clearwater Beach.

The Keynote speaker for the Scientific Meeting will be Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, FACMT. Dr. Kizer is
the Director of the Institute for Health Improvement at UC Davis Health System and Distinguished Professor of
Emergency Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine. He will be speaking on opportunities and challenges
for medical toxicologyin the emerging value-based health care economy. Dan Budnitz, MD, MPH, CAPT,
USPHS, who is the Director of the Medication Safety Program at the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will speak on preventing medication exposures in young
children. Kellie Schoolar Reynolds, PharmD, of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology IV at the Food and
Drug Administration will discuss the science behind package insert labeling and ongoing efforts to prevent
adverse effects and errors.

Other conference topics include the expanding distribution and use of naloxone, an antidote to opioid
intoxication; the role of medical toxicologistsin promotion of pediatric environmental health; the utility of
prescription drug monitoring programs in prevention of opioid misuse and its consequences; and representation
of medical toxicology in the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely® campaign. The conference will feature a
variety of educational formats, including lecture presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.

 

Original research will also be prominently featured throughout the Annual Scientific Meeting, with researchers
presenting their work in both platform and poster formats. According to Louise Kao, MD, Chair of the
conference planning committee, “A record number of research studies will be presented at this year’s Scientific
Meeting. This will include a wide variety of efforts, ranging from laboratory-based investigations of emerging
antidotes for ultimate use in poisoned patients to studies looking at outcomes of populations exposed to
particular poisons. This promises to be a highlight of the entire conference.”

 

The Annual Scientific Meeting will follow the day-long Addiction Medicine Academy on March 26, also
sponsored by ACMT. The Addiction Medicine Academy is open to all healthcare providers and will provide indepth
education regarding current pharmacotherapies that are used in the treatment of substance use disorders.
____________________________________________

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) December 09, 2014

The December issue of the Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT) features the Annual Report of the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC). This report details the ToxIC Registry, which prospectively collects de-identified information on patients cared for at the bedside by medical toxicologists as hospitalized patients or in outpatient clinics. This registry, which is human-research approved and compliant with confidentiality standards, has grown from 4 participating institutions in 2010 to 38 sites across the U.S. Cases collected by the ToxIC Registry in 2013 predominantly involved pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) ranked as the 4th most common reason for evaluation by a medical toxicologist, an issue that supports the recent focus by the American College of Medical Toxicology on medication safety. The report demonstrates the rapid annual growth of the Registry and its potential to provide opportunities for improved patient care and outcomes through focused research.

Another article in the December issue considers a new approach to expansion of specialized toxicology patient care through advances in computerization. Lead author Peter Chai, MD from Brown University writes that innovative new technologies, such as Google Glass ®, have revolutionized how we communicate and organize information in medicine and other industries. These devices have generated a lot of excitement, but Chai suggests organized studies to evaluate “improvement in satisfaction, clinical outcomes, workflow and cost are necessary for the long‐term integration of head-mounted wearable technologies into the clinical environment.”

Other highlights include a comprehensive review article about use of the alpha2 adrenergic agonist class of drugs for the treatment of withdrawal syndromes, a study evaluating the role of simulation for toxicology education, and a collaborative position statement on expanding access to naloxone for treatment of opioid overdose. These articles and other regular features are available in the December edition of JMT (Volume 10, Issue 4) and highlighted in the journal’s podcast.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology announces the release of the Medical Toxicology
Foundation 2014 Annual Report. The report highlights the Foundation’s achievements in
promoting the impact and value of medical toxicology in the provision of safe, high-quality
care.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) October 28, 2014 -- The Medical Toxicology Foundation (MTF) has released its
2014 Annual Report, which summarizes the numerous awards available from the Foundation and highlights the
achievements of past award winners in promoting the valuable role of medical toxicology in the provision of
safe, high quality care. The report details nearly $100,000 provided in awards in recent years to fund research
and educational activities within the specialty of medical toxicology. The MTF is a non-profit charitable
organization affiliated with the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT). As part of its commitment
to sustaining and improving the practice of medical toxicology, the Foundation funds medical toxicology
education and research programs that are vital to the care of patients suffering from the adverse effects of drug, chemical and natural toxin exposures.

The report also describes awards currently available for the promotion of research and career development in
medical toxicology. The newest MTF initiative, The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Award, supports
outstanding research and educational initiatives that have the greatest potential to reduce the misuse and abuse
of prescription drugs, particularly among young people. The first award from this fund was presented to
Katherine Boyle, MD, from the Division of Medical Toxicology at the University of Massachusetts to support
her research entitled ‘Teaching Effective Opioid Prescribing Through a Simulation Curriculum’. This award
was endowed by Ward Donovan, M.D., a medical toxicologist who has dedicated his career to toxicology
research and education as well as the treatment of poisoned patients. Dr. Donovan is also a past President of the ACMT.

Additional awardsare available to fund innovative research and teaching projects. The 2014 recipients of these
awards are Katherine Katsung, MD, from Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN and Nathan Menke, MD, PhD,
from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Katsung is investigating treatments for toxicity related to
propranolol, a common cardiovascular medication, and Dr. Menke is studying tools to aid in predicting severe
toxicity related to acetaminophen poisoning.

According to Suzanne White, MD, President of ACMT, “It excites me as I see the possibilities for helping
patients and realizing breakthroughs we never before thought would be possible. I can feel momentum gaining
for the Medical Toxicology Foundation and the work conducted by its members.”

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The American College of Medical Toxicology is to receive two subcontracts from the National
Institutes of Health to perform research on drugs of abuse and poisoning, utilizing its
toxicology patient registry.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) October 14, 2014 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will
receive two subcontracts from the NIH’s National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to support research studies
utilizing the Toxicology Investigators Consortium (ToxIC) Patient Registry. ToxIC is ACMT’s multicenter,
multinational network of physician medical toxicologists, currently with 70 hospitals, who provide bedside
evaluation of patients experiencing adverse effects related to drugs, chemicals, and environmental toxins.

One award will support an investigation entitled “Prevention of the cardiovascular medical consequences of
drug overdose.” The Principal Investigator for the project is Alex Manini, MD, MS, FACMT, from the Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY. This grant is a five-year, $3.4M R01 from NIH/NIDA
intended to validate risk factors for cardiovascular events following drug overdose. The overall goal is to
produce a useful risk score to apply to patients with undifferentiated acute drug overdoses presenting to the
emergency department.

The second is a 1-year $300,000 award entitled “NIDA national early warning system network (iN3): An
innovative approach”. This study relies upon the ToxIC multicenter network as sentinel sites to identify new
and emerging drugs of abuse and their medical complications. Led by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD from the
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in Worcester, MA and Robert Carlson, PhD from Wright State
University in Dayton, OH, this project will obtain preliminary data, at the request of NIH, to support a larger
research award to be submitted in November, 2014.

The ToxIC Patient Registry was founded in 2010 by ACMT members Jeffrey Brent, MD, PhD and Paul Wax,
MD. Over 33,000 patients from 25 states have been entered into the registry since its inception. Suzanne White,
MD, President of the ACMT, says “These two new awards will help deepen our understanding of complications
of drug overdose and provide for an early warning system to detect previously unrecognized drugs. Doctors
from around the country will be able to collectively play an important role in these research efforts.“

“Since death from overdose with prescription medications now exceeds motor vehicle crashes as the primary
cause of unintentional death in the US, research into prevention and early recognition of drug abuse is
incredibly important” said Paul Wax, MD, Executive Director of ACMT. He further confirmed that “emerging
drugs of abuse skirt regulation initially and are frequently marketed as ‘safe and legal’ but often carry
significant medical complications.” ACMT has been an active participant in researchand policy development
aimed at treating individual patients while striving to improve the public health.

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Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) October 07, 2014

On Oct. 6, 2014, the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), joined with the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) and American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), to jointly publish a position statement advocating expanding the access to naloxone throughout the United States in the October 2014 issue of Clinical Toxicology.

Over the past three decades, drug overdose deaths in the United States have tripled and in 2008, unintentional poisoning deaths surpassed the number of motor vehicle deaths for the first time. Of the 38,329 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2010, 60 percent (22,134) were related to pharmaceuticals, with 75 percent of those deaths involving prescription opioid analgesics. Concurrently, heroin deaths have risen 55 percent between 2000 and 2010.

In overdose scenarios, opioids (including morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl) cause slowed breathing which can lead to hypoxia and, if untreated, death. Timely administration of naloxone reverses the opioid-induced slowing of the respiratory rate and can save a person’s life. Naloxone is very effective, inexpensive, and has been used for this purpose in hospitals and by emergency medical systems since 1970. Currently in the U.S., naloxone is principally administered in the health care setting, but use by laypersons is becoming more common.

“Deaths from prescription and non-prescription opioids have reached epidemic proportions,” said AACT President Robert S. Hoffman, MD. “Naloxone is easy to administer, very safe and can rapidly reverse toxicity. Unfortunately, help is often too far away. Putting naloxone into the hands of laypersons via a ‘Bystander Naloxone Training’ program can help save lives when time is of the utmost importance.”

Naloxone administered by laypersons is prescribed and distributed as part of “overdose education and naloxone distribution” programs. The word bystander refers to a family member, friend, or stranger who is in close proximity to the victim at the time of the overdose and specifically not a trained health care provider.

Naloxone educations programs include the following key elements: 
1.    Identify opioids licit and illicit, and non-opioids 
2.    Recognize a patient with an opioid overdose (vs. opioid use) 
3.    Attempt to rouse and stimulate victim 
4.    Call 911 
5.    Rescue breathing 
6.    Administer naloxone intramuscularly or intranasally 
7.    Place the victim on their left side while awaiting for 911 to arrive 
8.    Aftercare (definitive pre-hospital and hospital medical care for the overdose and its complications).

“Due to concerns of police involvement cited as a main reason for not calling 911, it is critical we have a system in place to rapidly respond to these increasing opioid overdoses,” said Dr. Hoffman. “Until immunity laws for drug-related emergencies are broader and better communicated, naloxone is a common sense means to prevent unnecessary and avoidable deaths.”

For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, AAPCC associate manager, Public Relations and Government Affairs, at 703.894.1865 or schuster(at)aapcc(dot)org.

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The September issue of the Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official journal of the American
College of Medical Toxicology, features a comprehensive review of marijuana use as it relates
to driving performance and traffic safety.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) September 09, 2014 -- The September 2014 issue of the Journal of Medical
Toxicology (JMT) features a comprehensive and up-to-date review of marijuana as it relates to driving
performance and traffic safety. Now legal in more than 20 states, medical marijuana’s influence on public
safety is a continuing debate among policy makers, prescribers, and patients. Since alcohol and opioids have
been irrefutably linked with motor vehicle collisions, many worry the same will inevitably be true with medical
marijuana. In this comprehensive review of the most recent scientific literature, lead author Mark Neavyn, MD,
director of Medical Toxicology at Hartford Hospital, notes, “As with other medications that affect psychomotor
function and judgment, the healthcare provider and patient should be informed of the potential risks to driver
safety prior to prescribing this psychotropic drug.” The information in this article will be indispensible to
healthcare providers seeking a deeper understanding of the effects marijuana has on their patients. In addition,
the paper will inform law enforcement and policy makers on the complexity of marijuana and driver
impairment.

Also featured in the September issue of JMT is a series of articles that add important knowledge to our
understanding of complications resulting from exposure to concentrated laundry detergent pods. Sales of
concentrated laundry detergent pods have skyrocketed since their introduction in the US in 2010, and exposures
among children have risen concomitantly in large part due to their colorful and toy-like appearance. Jason
Russell, DO and co-authors from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio describe dermal burns
from laundry pod exposure, and Erika Smith, MD and colleagues from the University of Alabama in
Birmingham describe a series of patients with esophageal injury from pod ingestion.

Other highlights in the September issue include a report of occupational carbon monoxide poisoning due to
lighting hookahs, or water pipes, at a hookah bar; a report about a new recreational drug hitting the streets
called methiopropamine; and new data on the potential downside of using intravenous fat emulsion for treating
overdose. These articles and other regular features are available in the September edition of JMT (Volume 10,
Issue 3). An informative audio summary of the issue is available in the September 2014 Journal of Medical
Toxicology Podcast.

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will present ‘Environmental and Health
Consequences of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories’ in Albuquerque, New Mexico on
August 21, 2014. The course will provide training to law enforcement, healthcare providers
and public health professionals on hazards and health effects related to methamphetamine use
and exposure to chemicals present in clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) July 29, 2014 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will
present an educational course titled ‘Environmental and Health Consequences of Clandestine
Methamphetamine Laboratories’ on August 21, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The course, which is
partially sponsored by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Indian Health
Services, will provide training to law enforcement, emergency physicians and prehospital care providers, public
and environmental health professionals, HAZMAT professionals and others who work with medical and policy
issues related to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.

The course focuses largely on the clinical effects and chemical hazards associated with methamphetamine
production and abuse as well as the clean-up and remediation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
The methods and principles behind methamphetamine production will be reviewed. Participants will be able to
identify environmental hazards, choose appropriate personal protection equipment to minimize personal risk of
toxicity, and explore the various modalities available to treat exposed victims, including children. Course
participants will have interactive instruction in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating chemical toxicity
associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.

Course faculty includes experts in the field of medical toxicology who have extensive experience directly
caring for patients suffering from the adverse effects of chemical agents and poisons. According to Kurt
Kleinschmidt, MD, a medical toxicologist with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the
course director, “This course has something for all types of providers. Importantly, the group discussions enable
the participants to better understand everyone’s unique perspective.” ACMT first developed the Environmental
and Health Consequences of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories course 9 years ago under a contract
with the ATSDR. ACMT has provided single-day training in methamphetamine laboratory awareness 21 times
to more than 1400 participants in the United States and its territories. Organizations may contact ACMT for
information on presenting this course to their members.

ACMT is a professional, non-profit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.
The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of
activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The American College of Medical Toxicology will recognize physician experts in the diagnosis

and management of human poisoning who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research,

public service, and clinical care.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) August 13, 2013 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) will

grant prestigious Fellow status to eighteen physician specialists in medical toxicologyat the upcoming annual

toxicology meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on the 28th of September. Fellow status within ACMT (FACMT)

recognizes board-certified medical toxicologists who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research,

public service, and clinical care to patients. According to Suzanne White, M.D., president of ACMT, “FACMT

status is an outward sign of an inner commitment to standards, achieving excellence, and protecting the public.”

 

Poisoningis a growing public health concern in the United States. According to the Agency for Healthcare

Research and Quality, injury and poisoning is now the leading cause for pediatric emergency department visits,

and poisoning resulting from opioid abuse and misuse has reached epidemic proportions. There are currently

approximately 500 board certified medical toxicology specialists in practice. This leaves a shortage of specialty

trained physicians that are available to care for patients and to provide consultations regarding the optimal

management of patients exposed to a variety of poisons and medications. According to Howard Greller, M.D., a

member of the ACMT Board of Directors, “The College receives frequent inquiries from the public asking for

referrals to out-patient medical toxicology practices. Unfortunately, many regions do not have these services

and patients must travel long distances to consult with a medical toxicologist.” Most practicing medical

toxicologists are associated with academic health centers and emergency departments, particularly in

metropolitan areas.

 

In order to advance quality care of poisoned patients and public health, ACMT promotes the expansion of the

specialty through education, grants, research opportunities, and awards to physicians in medical education

training programs. Lewis Nelson, M.D., past-president of ACMT, reports “it is the vision of ACMT that every

potentially poisoned patient or population will have direct access to the expertise of a board-certified medical

toxicologist.”

 

ACMT is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.

The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of

activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official journal of the American College of Medical

Toxicology, publishes a study evaluating the effectiveness of an unproven topical treatment for

autism in its March issue.

 

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 26, 2013 -- The lead article in the March issue of the Journal of Medical

Toxicology (JMT) is a study that examines the absorption of a product, TD-DMPS, after application to the skin.

DMPS is a metal-binding agent that is not approved for use by the US FDA. TD-DMPS is advertised as a

topical treatment for autism. The oral and intravenous forms of DMPS are approved in some countries for the

removal of metals from the body when patients are poisoned, but the transdermal (TD) form has not been

shown to be effective for the treatment of any condition, including autism.

 

In the study, the researchers were unable to detect any DMPS in the blood following its application,

demonstrating that the product is not absorbed through the skin. Without absorption, TD-DMPS cannot exert its

purported effects of removing heavy metals from the body. The study confirmed this by demonstrating that the

urinary elimination of mercury, a metal known to be removed from the body when DMPS is given by mouth or

the intravenous route, did not increase after application of the product.

 

According to an accompanying editorial by Charles McKay MD, Medical Director of the Department of

Occupational Health Services and Section Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicologyat Hartford Hospital in

Connecticut, “Despite the absence of data, and in the face of such concerns about absorption and dose, many

advocates of a heavy metal toxic etiology for autism (in particular mercury) have incorporated ‘TD-DMPS’ into

their non-traditional practice. We should recognize, however, the frustration and despair that leads members of

the public to embrace homeopathy, ‘detoxifying regimens’, and the like.”

 

ACMT is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.

The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of

activities.

 

 

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The Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official print journal of the American College of

Medical Toxicology, celebrates its first year of delivering scientific journal content in a

humorous and enjoyable audio podcast, available on iTunes.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) February 14, 2013 -- The Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT), the official print

journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), celebrates a successful first year of

delivering entertaining synopses of each print issue of the journal in the form of a fast-paced and humorous

audio podcast. Available on iTunes and the ACMT website, the JMT podcast is hosted by Dr. Howard Greller,

a medical toxicologist at North Shore University Hospital and co-host of The Emergency Medicine Show on

Sirius XM Doctor Radio, and Dr. Dan Rusyniak, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Indiana

University School of Medicine. According to the Editor-in-Chief of JMT, Dr. Leslie Dye, “Howard and Dan are

the ‘Click and Clack’ of Medical Toxicology”.

 

Each edition of the JMT Podcast begins with the “Cast Call”, an in depth discussion of the top article selected

by each of the hosts. They then feature a discussion and review of the various scientific studies, as well as

commentary on the interesting case reports, editorials, and visual items included in the month’s issue. Topics

covered are diverse and range from poisoning due to common exposures such as pesticides, bath salts, and

alcohol, to unusual causes of toxicity, including pine nuts, cream of tartar, and bark scorpion stings. Important

public health topics including the adverse effects related to opioid abuse and misuse, emerging designer drugs

of abuse, and the toxicities related to newly approved medications such as anticoagulants are common topics

covered by the journal issues and the corresponding podcast.

 

In addition to the quarterly JMT Podcast, Drs. Greller and Rusyniak produce supplemental 'Author in the

Room' (AIR) episodes to provide an up-close and personal interview with leaders in the field of Medical

Toxicology. Dr. Edward Boyer, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University Of Massachusetts School

Of Medicine, was the first to be highlighted in 2012. An upcoming AIR Podcast will feature an interview with

Drs. Lewis Nelson and Jeanmarie Perrone, who were the guest editors for the December 2012 JMT issue

devoted to opioid use and misuse.

 

ACMT is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.

The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of

activities.

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American College of Medical Toxicology

http://www.acmt.net>

 

 

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The Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official journal of the American College of Medical

Toxicology, reports in its September issue on a variety of poisonings that represent public

health concerns on an international level.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) September 30, 2012 -- Poisoning is a public health issue throughout the world,

though the specific poisons that hold the greatest impact vary by country or region. In certain international

communities natural toxins abound, in others man-made toxins are prevalent in the environment, while in some

drugs available for recreational abuse may be the leading problem. The Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT),

the official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), provides an international

perspective on poisoning in the September issue, with articles that describe poisonings in countries including

the United States, Iran, and those of the Asia Pacific region, including Thailand.

 

A U.S. study looking at the influence of drug use on heat stroke found 28% of patients with life-threatening

hyperthermia in whom a urine drug screen was performed to have cocaine or methamphetamine detected in the

urine. Another study described poisonings in infants and toddlers reported to the Toxicology Investigators

Consortium (ToxIC) registry, a database of patients cared for by medical toxicologists in the U.S. While cardiac

and psychiatric medications used by adults accounted for the majority of exposures resulting in hospitalization

in this group, recreational and controlled opioid medications accounted for nearly 10% of exposures.

 

The journal issue devotes three articles to the topic of substance abuse in the Asia Pacific region. Though

opioids and cannibis remain commonly abused substances in this region, the use of amphetamine-type

stimulants and ketamine are increasing in some parts of Asia. Ketamine, a drug similar to but tamer than

phencyclidine, or PCP, as well as the nonprescription cough suppressant dextromethorphan, are commonly

abused among Thai youth in particular. A separate U.S. case report of psychosis that developed in an adult man

after the use of “bath salts” highlights the potential dangers of this newer class of amphetamine-like stimulant

drugs. The drugs found in bath salts, such as MDPV or mephedrone, have been easily available in the US and

Europe, although regulations to remove them from sale in head shops and retail outlets are rapidly expanding.

 

Intentional ingestion of poisons for the purpose of self-harm is a world-wide public health problem, and the

agents that are most commonly used are highly reflective of the specific country. A study from Iran investigates

potential mechanisms of toxicity of aluminum phosphide, a pesticide that is readily available there despite

controls and widely associated suicide attempts. The fatality rate following such exposure remains high even

with excellent care. Pesticide poisoning remains the major public health concern of most developing and

agricultural nations. Organophosphorus pesticides lead the list of concerning agents worldwide and many

countries are looking at ways to limit their availability or concentration to reduce the human harm associated

with these important chemicals.

 

The Journal of Medical Toxicology is an international journal that publishes peer-reviewed scientific literature

online first, with print issues published quarterly. It is the official journal of the ACMT, a professional,

nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The College is dedicated

to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of activities.

 

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The Journal of Medical Toxicology, the official journal of the American College of Medical

Toxicology, focuses on Emerging Drugs of Abuse in its March issue, including bath salts and

synthetic marijuana.

 

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) April 11, 2012 -- The Journal of Medical Toxicology(JMT), the official journal of

the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), starts its eighth year in print with an issue dedicated to

new street drugs producing serious effects, even death.

 

“It is now estimated that 100 persons die of drug overdose daily in the US, a threefold increase in overdose

deaths in less than 20 years,” states an editorial by Mark Mycyk, M.D., the associate editor of JMT.

 

Synthetic marijuana products (e.g., Spice, K2) and bath salts (e.g., ivory wave) contain new street drugs that

can cause severe toxicity in users. Labeling bath salts as “not for human consumption,” allows the sale of illicit

amphetamine-like cathionine substances. Synthetic cannabinoids are sprayed on plant products and marketed as

synthetic marijuana. Fatal cases from bath salts in a 40 year old male and a 24 year old female are reported, in

addition to severe effects related to marijuana use. Other drugs of abuse are reviewed, including Kratom and

Salvia.

 

“As soon as street drugs are outlawed, abusers come up with new formulations to attempt to achieve a legal

high. As medical toxicologists, we are on the front line and see what new adverse effects these drugs cause.

Unfortunately, many users don’t realize how dangerous these chemicals are until people start getting sick or

dying,” said Editor-in-Chief, Leslie R. Dye, M.D.

 

The March issue of JMT also highlights a new study (the iHeal Project) in which skin sensors are used to help

recovering addicts identify the onset of cravings and to provide early relapse prevention.

 

ACMT is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology.

The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology through a variety of

activities.

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Experts from the American College of Medical Toxicology, the Centers for Disease Control, the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and others met at the CDC to review the
current use and misuse of chelation therapy in the United States for the treatment of metal
poisoning. It was concluded that incorrect diagnosis of metal poisoning is common, and
inappropriate use of chelation therapy is widespread.

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) March 30, 2012 -- Medical toxicologists and scientific experts speaking at a recent
conference at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta criticized the widespread misdiagnosis of poisoning
from lead, arsenic, mercury and other metals, and called for strong efforts to decrease the inappropriate use of
metal chelation therapy.

Chelating agents are medications that may be given to patients to increase elimination of metals from the body.
Traditionally chelating agents have been used to treat acute poisoning following a large exposure to a metal
such as arsenic, mercury, or lead. In recent years, the administration of chelating agents by some health
providers has increased. Although chelating agents such as calcium EDTA, DMSA, and DMPS are medications
intended to be prescribed by licensed physicians, they are often sold to patients by health care practitioners or
obtained without a prescription over the internet, possibly in violation of federal regulations.

It has been estimated that nearly 200,000 people may be treated with chelating agents each year in the United
States. These patients are frequently diagnosed with chronic metal poisoning based on a poorly documented
environmental exposure, vague clinical findings, and inappropriate diagnostic testing. A provoked urine metals
test, also called a urine mobilization or challenge test, is a controversial practice in which a chelating drug is
given to a patient prior to collection of their urine for metal analysis. Chelating agents produce an elevated
concentration of metal in the urine even in healthy patients, and such an increase should not be used to diagnose
metal poisoning. The presence of an elevated concentration of a metal in the urine following administration of a
chelating agent is often incorrectly presented to the patient as evidence of metal poisoning, leading to expensive
chelation treatments. It was widely agreed that this practice should be abandoned, supporting the position
adopted by the American College of Medical Toxicology on this issue in 2009.

There is no credible scientific evidence to support the use of chelation in the majority of individuals with
chronic metal exposure, the patient population that appears to most frequently receive these treatments.
Although chronic exposure to certain metals such as lead has been associated with adverse health effects,
studies have not found that chelation therapy improves patient outcomes. Instead, prompt removal from the
source of elevated metal exposure is recommended, and in most cases that alone will represent the cornerstone
of effective medical intervention. Inappropriate use of chelating drugs can cause serious, even life-threatening,
adverse reactions, particularly in patients who do not have metal poisoning.

Findings from the ACMT event 'Use and Misuse of Metal Chelation Agents' will be published as proceedings
in the Journal of Medical Toxicology. The ACMT strongly recommends that all people with concerns about
possible metal poisoning contact a medical toxicologist. A national directory of board-certified medical
toxicologists can be found at www.acmt.net.
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Contact Information
Anne-Michelle Ruha, M.D.
American College of Medical Toxicology
http://www.acmt.net
623-533-6340
Online Web 2.0 Version
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This event will educate healthcare providers on the challenges of managing chronic pain and

dangerous complications related to opioid use. Hydrocodone, oxycodone, and fentanyl are

widely used pain medications associated with a national epidemic of prescription opioid abuse,

misuse, and death. The ACMT will present strategies for identifying and managing prescription

opioid misuse in order to reduce the burden of this epidemic on individuals, families, and the

public health.

 

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 28, 2012 -- This event will educate healthcare providers on the challenges

of managing chronic pain and dangerous complications related to opioid use. Hydrocodone, oxycodone, and

fentanyl are widely used pain medications associated with a national epidemic of prescription opioid abuse,

misuse, and death. The ACMT will present strategies for identifying and managing prescription opioid misuse

in order to reduce the burden of this epidemic on individuals, families, and the public health.

 

In many parts of the United States, adults are more likely to die of a prescription opioid overdose than a car

crash. Medical toxicologists, who specialize in the diagnosis and management of human poisoning, directly

witness the devastating human effects of this epidemic. “Healthcare providers often feel pressured to prescribe

opioids due to patient satisfaction requirements and regulatory mandates. Their training in pain management,

opioid misuse, and alternative therapies may be limited, and the full spectrum of repercussions of opioid

prescribing may not be evident to them” says Kavita Babu, M.D., the course director.

 

A variety of opioid-related problems can lead to hospitalization, and in some cases death, including accidental

overdose, adverse side effects, and withdrawal syndromes. Experts in medical toxicology, addiction medicine,

and pain management, among others, will address public health concerns associated with prescription opioid

misuse, and describe strategies for identifying and managing patients with opioid addiction. The challenges of

managing chronic non-cancer pain and alternatives to opioid therapy will be discussed. A particularly

vulnerable population affected is young children, who may ingest opioids that have been prescribed to a family

member. The Prescription Opioid Misuse Academy will address pediatric concerns as well as opioid toxicity in

other special populations.

 

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New York / Heidelberg, 8 February 2012

 

New iHeal project aims to detect drug cravings and intervene to stop drug use

 

Imagine a device combining sensors to measure physiological changes. Then imagine a smartphone with software applications designed to respond to your bodily changes in an attempt to change your behavior. That is the vision behind "iHeal," currently being developed¹ by Edward Boyer from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the US, and his colleagues. The multimedia device is an innovative combination of 'enabling technologies' which can detect developing drug cravings and intervene as the cravings develop to prevent drug use. Boyer and team's preliminary data and key findings² to date are published online in Springer's Journal of Medical Toxicology.³

 

So called 'enabling technologies' ­ artificial intelligence, continuous 

physiological monitoring, wireless connectivity, and smartphone 

computation ­ exist to make behavioral interventions more effective outside the clinic or office environments. In everyday, natural environments, they can detect changes in an individual's biological and affective states, which could well be trigger points for risky health behaviors, such as substance use.

iHeal is different from existing mobile health applications, because it incorporates biosensors. Individuals with a history of substance abuse and post­traumatic stress disorder wear a sensor band around their wrist that measures the electrical activity of the skin, body motion, skin temperature and heart rate ­ all indicators of arousal or stress. The band wirelessly transmits information to a smartphone, where software applications monitor and process the user's physiological data.

When the software detects an increased stress or arousal level, it asks the user to annotate events by inputting information about their perceived level of stress, drug cravings, and current activities. iHeal's ultimate goal is to identify, in real­time, drug cravings and deliver personalized, multimedia drug prevention interventions precisely at the moment of greatest need.

Boyer and team's paper examines iHeal's development process to date i.e. system architecture, as well as preliminary feedback from potential users to identify potential limitations and key attributes from a user­perspective. Their analyses suggest a number of technical issues related to data security, as well as the need for a more robust and less stigmatizing version before the device could be worn in public. This could be a sensor band that has the appearance and functionality of a wrist­watch, or a sensor that can be worn on the ankle.

The authors conclude: "Our findings demonstrate that conducting clinical trials using enabling technologies in natural environments will require a deeper understanding of user preferences. Study designers should rely on recipients rather than 'experts' to create intervention content. A focus on preventing identification of research participants to avoid subsequent stigmatization is also key."

References

1. The research is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health

2. Boyer EW et al (2012). Preliminary efforts directed toward the detection of craving of illicit substances: the iHeal Project. Journal of Medical Toxicology. DOI 10.1007/s13181­011­0200­4

3. The article is part of a special issue in the Journal of Medical Toxicology on Emerging Drugs of Abuse to be published in March 2012.

The full­text article is available to journalists on request.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Journal of Medical Toxicology, Article on Springer Link

CONTACT: Joan Robinson

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The American College of Medical Toxicology Addresses Use of Chelation for Metal Toxicity

 

ACMT, an organization of physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of poisoned 

patients, recognizes a national trend toward use of chelation for a vast array of disorders and 

physical complaints. leading clinicians and scientists will meet at the CDC in Atlanta on Feb 29, 

2012 to discuss the appropriate use of chelation therapy.

 

Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) January 26, 2012 -- Medical toxicologists, who specialize in the diagnosis 

and management of human poisoning, have noted a growing trend toward inappropriate diagnosis and 

treatment of metal toxicity. An upcoming scientific conference will examine the evidence for use of 

chelation therapy, addressing accepted uses for treatment of acute and chronic metal poisoning and 

off-label uses to treat disorders such as autism and vascular disease. For more information about 

the American College of Medical Toxicology and the conference, Use & Misuse of Metal Chelation 

Therapy, visit: http://acmt.net.>

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