German Poisoning Register goes live Formation of a central database at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment: collecting data, saving lives
What it's about:
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) officially launches the German Poisoning Register (DVR). The nationwide recording and evaluation of poisoning cases will form the first central database that will enable health risks to be identified earlier and countermeasures to be taken more quickly supporting structures and entities operating at both Federal and Federal State level, and the public at large. The aim of the register is to systematically record poisoning hazards, highlight trends and thereby save lives. The data can be used, among other things, to better inform the public about health risks and thus prevent poisonings. Examples include common incidences involving children, such as swallowing cleaning products or poisonous plants. Despite the high prevalence of incidences, there has been no comprehensive, uniform data source to date. The DVR now closes this gap. "The German Poisoning Register is a milestone for public health protection," says Dr Yuri Bruinen de Bruin, Head of Unit of the Poisoning Register at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. "We have now created the basis to receive and centrally store poisoning notifications that are reported to us. This data will help us to identify risks earlier and take targeted action."
The DVR comprises a central database that will collate reports of poisoning from the seven Poison Centres (in German: GiftInformationsZentren/GIZ), accident insurance providers and medical staff. Currently, around 8,000 cases of poisoning are reported to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment each year, mainly by accident insurance providers. The GIZs record around 200,000 incidents per year that are of relevance for the DVR. The establishment of the central information system at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has created the conditions for the planned integration and harmonization of this data. The register records information on the type of substance, route of exposureExposureTo glossary (intake, inhalation, etc.), severity of poisoning, medical measures and other relevant factors. Data collection is carried out in accordance with clear legal requirements. The establishment of a standardised reporting system in cooperation with the GIZ ensures that comparable and scientifically reliable information will be available for evaluation purposes across the 16 Federal States.
The DVR enables the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment to identify clusters of certain types of poisoning at an early stage, carry out faster assessments of health risks, issue targeted recommendations and support research into toxicological risks. The DVR establishes the basis for a nationwide early warning system for poisoning. The continuous monitoring and evaluation of the data supports to identify risks at an early stage – for example, through new products on the market, seasonal patterns, and trends.
Further information on the German Poisoning Registry is available on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment website.
- Questions and answers about the German Poisoning Register External Link: Go to FAQ
- BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment press release: Collecting data, saving lives: exchange on the German Poisoning Register External Link: Go to press release
About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It protects people's health preventively in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.