Poisoning In Medical Settings

Poisoning is the intentional or unintentional introduction of a substance that causes physiological injury to the body by its chemical action. The route of entry [Page 355]into the body can be ingestion, inhalation, injection, or absorption. Because any substance introduced in sufficient quantities can be poisonous, poisoning more often implies the inappropriate usage of a substance in an appropriate or excessive degree of dosage.

The commitment of the medical profession is to preserve, restore, and promote optimal physiological and emotional functioning in their individual clients; however, serial murderers are well-known in the medical profession. “Arguably, medicine has thrown up more serial killers than all other professions put together” (Kinnel, 2000). Consider the health care provider who intentionally administers a substance with the intended outcome being homicide.