NEWTOWN, Pa., Sept. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and software development services, and the National Capital Poison Center (NCPC) today announced the release of an extensive upgrade of the webPOISONCONTROL online tool and app. It is the first online, automated triage tool and app for poison emergencies. The new upgrade provides help for individuals with poison exposures involving pharmaceuticals, supplements, household products and plants, whether swallowed, splashed on the eye or skin, or inhaled, and even helps if symptoms are already present.
According to the National Poison Data System, in 2015, 85% of poison exposures reported to U.S. poison centers were nontoxic, minimally toxic or had, at most, a minor effect. Numerous studies have demonstrated that minimally toxic poison exposures drive up healthcare costs due to unnecessary emergency room visits. A 2012 Lewin Group report shows that the return on investment from the poison center system is $13.39 per dollar spent, saving $1.8 billion per year in unnecessary medical costs and lost productivity. webPOISONCONTROL increases cost savings by appealing to people who otherwise wouldn’t call Poison Control.
“Every day, nearly 6,000 people call U.S. poison centers and another 4,000 to 9,000 struggle with a poison exposure but don’t call,” says Toby Litovitz, MD, medical toxicologist and director of the project. “They don’t call for a variety of reasons. Some people don’t like talking on the phone or getting stuck in phone queues, and many are embarrassed, suspect they will be judged, don’t have phone access or don’t want to scare their children. Too many people just guess - resulting in needless ER visits for those who don’t need to see a doctor, and dire outcomes for those who stay home when they should have sought medical care.”
When using webPOISONCONTROL, a user can enter the name of the substance, pill imprint code, or scan the product barcode, and add the amount swallowed, age, weight and symptoms in approximately three minutes. Users then receive a specific recommendation that it’s safe to stay at home, go to the ER or call Poison Control for further guidance. If a user receives the recommendation to stay home, the tool tells the user what to do and then provides information about specific symptoms that are likely to occur and are not of concern, as well as symptoms that should trigger a call to Poison Control or an ER visit. The tool also provides a pill identifier for quick recognition.
“To make the tool effective, the National Capital Poison Center needed a technology partner that could consolidate and integrate an immense amount of data, and deliver it to the user in a simple, easy-to-use application. Using our big data, software engineering and UX expertise, we developed a solution built on 3,300 complex algorithms that accurately analyzes 52,000 products and 207,000 barcodes,” said Kevin Labick, Co-Head, Digital Engagement, EPAM. “We are very proud to work with NCPC to improve poisoning outcomes across the country.”
To date, more than 60,000 people have safely used webPOISONCONTROL for online poison exposure help. Recommendations are free, confidential and prepared by clinical toxicology experts. webPOISONCONTROL is sponsored by the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C. and is used by ten participating poison centers. It is funded by donations, including a generous grant from the Potomac Health Foundation. Learn more about webPOISONCONTROL, view NCPC’s infographic, read the case study, explore the tool, or download it on the App Store or on Google Play.
About NCPC
The National Capital Poison Center, founded in 1980, is an independent, not-for-profit organization and accredited poison center. Its nurse and pharmacist Certified Specialists in Poison Information and medical toxicologists provide 24/7 telephone guidance for poison emergencies, free of charge. Service focuses on the metro DC area with a national scope for projects such as webPOISONCONTROL, the National Battery Ingestion Hotline, and The Poison Post®. Learn more at About Us, Infographic, Press Box, and www.poison.org, and follow us on Twitter @webPOISONCTRL.
About EPAM Systems
Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM) has leveraged its core engineering expertise to become a leading global product development and digital platform engineering services company. Through its ‘Engineering DNA’ and innovative strategy, consulting, and design capabilities, EPAM works in collaboration with its customers to deliver innovative solutions that turn complex business challenges into real business opportunities. EPAM’s global teams serve customers in over 25 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. EPAM is a recognized market leader among independent research agencies and was ranked #12 in FORBES 25 Fastest Growing Public Tech Companies, as a top information technology services company on FORTUNE’S 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, and as a top UK Digital Design & Build Agency. Learn more at http://www.epam.com/ and follow us on Twitter @EPAMSYSTEMS and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.
Toby Litovitz, MD
National Capital Poison Center
O: 202.362.7493
pc@poison.org