THE READINESS OF THE POISON CENTER IN THE AL-JAWF REGION IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA TO RECEIVE POISONING AND EMERGENCY CASES.

Abstract

Poison Control Centers (PCCs) provide 24/7 expert consultation for toxic exposures to healthcare professionals and the public. Only 47% of WHO Member States have established poison centers, with significant gaps in developing regions. Despite critical funding challenges, PCCs provide exceptional value by preventing emergency department visits and serving multiple roles including exposure data collection, hazard identification, and public health protection. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study assessed the readiness of Al-Jawf Region Poison Control Center in Saudi Arabia across seven factors including infrastructure capacity, staffing, emergency protocols, resource availability, and inter-agency collaboration. Using purposive sampling, 40 healthcare workers (toxicologists, pharmacists, nurses, and paramedics) completed standardized questionnaires through structured interviews and electronic surveys. Significant readiness gaps were identified across all assessed areas. Only 7.5% of participants reported full emergency preparedness for 24-hour responses with adequate surge capacity. Resource availability showed mixed results: 70% had partial access to toxicology databases and antidotes, but only 10% were fully prepared for patient outcome monitoring. Human resource challenges were prevalent, with 87.5% citing insufficient staffing. While Al-Jawf Region Poison Control Center demonstrates basic capabilities, substantial readiness gaps limit effective toxicological emergency response. Systematic improvements in infrastructure, workforce training, protocol standardization, and sustainable funding are urgently needed to achieve international best practices and support Saudi Arabia's healthcare transformation goals.