Belgian Poison Centre impact on healthcare expenses of unintentional poisonings: a cost–benefit analysis

Objectives This study evaluates the impact of the Belgian Poison Centre (BPC) on national healthcare expenses for calls from the public for unintentional poisonings. Methods The probability of either calling the BPC, consulting a general practitioner (GP) or consulting an emergency department (ED) was examined in a telephone survey (February–March 2016). Callers were asked what they would have done in case of unavailability of the BPC. The proportion and cost for ED-ambulatory care, ED 24-h observation or hospitalisation were calculated from individual invoices. A cost–benefit analysis was performed. Results Unintentional cases ( n = 485) from 1045 calls to the BPC were included. After having called the BPC, 92.1% did not seek further medical help, 4.2% consulted a GP and 3.7% went to an ED. In the absence of the BPC, 13.8% would not have sought any further help, 49.3% would have consulted a GP and 36.9% would have gone to the hospital. The cost–benefit ratio of the availability of the BPC as versus its absence was estimated at 5.70. Conclusions Financial savings can be made if people first call the BPC for unintentional poisonings.