At a glance
The goal of the Toxicological Outbreak Investigation Course is to provide information, resources, and learning activities to impart the knowledge and skills needed to investigate a toxicological outbreak.
Toxicological Outbreak Investigation online training
Module 1. Course introduction and overview
In this module, we will:
- Define what a toxic agent is
- Provide a brief overview of the course
- Describe the contents of the Toxicological Outbreak Investigation Toolkit
Launch Module 1 or download Module 1 slides.
Module 2. Toxicological principles
In this module, we will:
- Consider what a toxic agent outbreak looks like and the characteristics to look for when determining whether one is taking place
- Define toxidromes
- Discuss the various factors that affect toxicity
- Examine two key concepts used by toxicologists
Module 3. Toxicological laboratory principles
In this module, we will:
- Explain the importance of early sample collection
- Discuss laboratory testing considerations
- Identify information needed in sample collection protocols
- Discuss the collection of comparison samples
Launch Module 3 or download Module 3 slides
Module 4. Analyzing and interpreting laboratory results
In this module, we will:
- Discuss how to analyze and interpret laboratory results
- Define "limit of detection" (LOD)
- Identify constant values that can be substituted for values lower than the LOD
- Provide examples of how adjustments may be made to laboratory results
- Discuss log-normal distribution data
- Describe information needed to interpret laboratory results
Launch Module 4 or download Module 4 slides
Module 5. Steps of a toxicological outbreak investigation
This module includes the steps in an outbreak investigation.
Launch Module 5 Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 or download Module 5 slides
Module 6. Domestic case study
In this module, you will practice what you have learned in Modules 1-5 by completing a domestic case study.
Launch Module 6 or download Module 6 slides
Module 7. International case study
In this module, you will practice what you have learned in Modules 1-5 by completing an international case study.
Toxicological Outbreak Investigation Toolkit
The Toxicological Outbreak Investigation Toolkit is a collection of sample customizable documents that can be used during an outbreak investigation, including:
- Qualitative epidemiological questions
- Sample line list
- Sample log
- Sample medical record abstraction form
- Sample questionnaire
- Toxidrome chart
Download the toolkit.