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Background: Measuring the effectiveness of the services provided by poison control centres (PCC) can be achieved by evaluating the level of compliance of callers with the advice provided by poison control specialists. The purpose of this study was to assess compliance of parents/caregivers, whose children (ages 5 years and under) had accidentally ingested an antihistamine and/or decongestant. Methods: Using a retrospective chart review, a convenience sample of all eligible calls was retrieved during the months of January and February 1999. Calls were excluded if they included other co-ingested products. The sample was divided into two groups: those which were considered toxic by a poison control specialist and required treatment in hospital and those which were considered non-toxic and did not require treatment. Compliance with PCC advice was measured by a follow-up telephone call made by a research assistant within seven days of the initial call. Results: A total of 147 calls were retrieved and followed. One hundred and seven (73%) callers were advised that no treatment was required and of these, 100 (93%) followed PCC advice. Forty (27%) callers were advised to take their child to the emergency department and of these, 39 (97%) complied with the advice. There was no statistically significant difference in compliance rates between the two groups, [chi square]=0.3058 df=1 p=0.58. High compliance rates in this sample of callers to a major PCC indicate that a sample of 147 was adequate. Reasons for non-compliance included caregiver anxiety and the need for a second opinion. Conclusions: In this group of callers, compliance rates for pediatric ingestions were high. Future studies that include other age groups, exposures and types of callers such as health care professionals will provide further support for compliance with PCC advice., Yamada J, DiRezze P, McGuigan M. Ontario Regional Poison Centre, Toronto, [...]