American College of Medical Toxicology

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), founded in 1993, is the largest organization of medical (physician) toxicologists in the United States and the world.

The College exists to support quality medical care for persons exposed to potentially harmful chemicals (whether medications, drugs of abuse, workplace or environmental toxins, envenomings, bioterrorism agents), and to provide training and insight to the physicians who provide this care.

History

Timeline of the organization:
* 1974: American Board of Medical Toxicology (ABMT) established
* 1992: Medical Toxicology recognized by [http://www.abms.org/ American Board of Medical Specialties]
* 1993: ABMT goes out of business and is replaced by ACMT and the [http://www.abem.org/rainbow/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3342/DesktopDefault.aspx Subboard of Medical Toxicology] . Subboard members include representatives appointed by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Preventive Medicine
* 1993: ACMT is incorporated as stand alone professional organization for physician toxicologists board certified in medical toxicology
* 1994: Subboard offers first certification examination in Medical Toxicology
* 2001: [http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/RRC_110/110_prIndex.asp Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)] accredits Medical Toxicology fellowship training programs
* 2002: First ACMT Annual Spring Conference
* 2003: ACMT/ [http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)] Regional Consultation Network is established
* 2004: First of over 50 courses a Chemical Agents of Opportunity offered with sponsorship of the ATSDR
* 2004: First biannual ACMT Board Review Course offered

ACMT services provided

ACMT members provide professional services in Medical Toxicology in a variety ofclinical, industrial, educational, and public health settings:

*Bedside consultation of acutely poisoned adults and children in emergency departments & intensive care units.

*Outpatient clinics, offices, and job sites evaluating health impacts from acute and chronic exposure to toxic substances.

*Poison control centers

*Industry and Commerce

*Governmental agencies

*Clinical and forensic laboratories

Medical Toxicology

The [http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309091942 Institute of Medicine report] “Forging a Poison Prevention and Control System” (2004) makes the following distinction on the first page of the Executive Summary:

“The term "toxicologist" is a general description of an individual dealing with any aspect of acute or chronic poisoning, and it does not have a specific definition or implication with regard to training or job description. For example, this term may be used to describe individuals whose activities range from molecular biology to epidemiology, as long as they deal in some way with the toxic effects of chemicals. The term "Clinical toxicologist" implies a more clinical orientation, but likewise has no specific definition or implications. "Medical toxicologists" are physicians with specific training and board certification in the subspecialty of medical toxicology, which focuses on the care of poisoned patients.”

See also

* Poison
* List of extremely hazardous substances
* Venom
* Toxicity
* Antidote
* Chemical Warfare
* History of poison
* List of poisonings
* List of fictional toxins

External links

* [http://www.acmt.net/ American College of Medical Toxicology]
* [http://www.abem.org/ American Board of Emergency Medicine]