Toxicology
The Section of Medical Toxicology is based in UT Health San Antonio’s Department of Emergency Medicine. Medical toxicologists are experts in evaluating and treating patients with actual and/or suspected toxic exposures and poisonings. These include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial toxins, substance abuse, and recreational drug use, as well as intentional self-harm attempts and inadvertent poisonings in all age groups.
The Section provides a variety of resources including medical education, limited bedside consultations, selective outpatient clinic evaluations, and research studies.
Toxicology Education
Educating residents, medical students, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other learners is a key component of the Section’s mission. Teaching occurs in classrooms, at bedside, in hands-on laboratories, on field trips, during simulation sessions, at the South Texas Poison Center, and in both large and small groups. A toxicology rotation is currently available for residents.
Research
Conducting research investigations plays a key role in toxicology. Studies related to public health, the opioid crisis, antidotes, and dietary supplement use are a few areas of research. Opportunities to engage in toxicology research exist with this Section and the South Texas Poison Center.
Consultation
Medical Toxicologists provide patient care in a variety of settings, including at the patient’s bedside in the emergency department, in the ICU, and in inpatient units. (These services are limited, but phone consultation is available 24/7.) Outpatient clinic evaluations for patients with possible toxic exposures are offered on a selective basis.
Meet Our Toxicology Team
Unique Opportunities
South Texas offers some unique learning opportunities including snakebite, scorpion sting, and drugs of abuse, given the proximity to the US-Mexico border. Opportunities include:
- The Department is home to the South Texas Poison Center; Gain experience in an active regional poison center
- Our Specialists in Poison Information (SPIs) are experts and highly trained in poison control and are a resource that forms the Texas Poison Control Network.