Louis Gdalman, pioneer in hospital pharmacy poison information services

A Fellow’s Perspective on the Threatened Closure of the Illinois Poison Center

“…In the mid 1900s, the issue of childhood poisoning was thrust to the forefront of pediatric medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found 49 % of reported accidents involved poisonings, mainly from household products and medications [4]. The end of World War II saw an influx of novel consumer products including insecticides, polishes, and paints.…”

“…The end of World War II saw an influx of novel consumer products including insecticides, polishes, and paints. While these products contributed to the urbanization of America, they also led to an increased number of accidental poisonings [4]. In 1949, 423 children died as a result of accidental poisonings as compared to only 46 in 2012 [2,5].…”

“…Louis Gdalman, R.Ph, a staff pharmacist at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, had long recognized this need and already founded a 24-h telephone consultation service a decade prior. Initially, most calls came from local physicians, but the service grew rapidly and soon calls flooded in from across the nation [4]. Meanwhile, Edward Press, M.D., a Chicago Pediatrician, was working with the AAP to open the nation's first poison center.…”

“…Together they indexed over 9,000 commercial and consumer products, creating a database of information similar the modern day Poisindex®, which was founded by Barry Rumack, M.D. [4,6]. Poison centers rapidly gained popularity, with a peak of 661 centers in 1978, of which 102 were in Illinois [7].…”

Taking a Stand against Accidental Childhood Poisoning: The Founding of the Nation's First Poison Control Center in Chicago

“…1,6 After swallowing a poisonous substance, a small girl developed prolonged pneumonia. 1,6 After swallowing a poisonous substance, a small girl developed prolonged pneumonia.…”