Best Way to Celebrate National Poison Prevention Week – Save Our Number

 SYRACUSE, NY – During National Poison Prevention Week from March 19-25, the Upstate New York Poison Center reminds you that our staff is here for everyone in our 54-county coverage area 24/7, 365 days a year.

“Our Specialists in Poison Information help to answer your poison emergency or call for poison information 24 hours a day,” Medical Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center Vince Calleo, MD said. “Rather than losing time searching for an answer online, call us at 1-800-222-1222. We are always fast, free, and confidential.”

This year, ?in recognition of National Poison Prevention Week and our 66^th year of service, we are sharing what we do on a daily basis to save lives.

What is the Upstate New York Poison Center?

The number to call with a poison emergency or for poison prevention information with:

• Poison emergency telephone management
• Poison information resources
• Public education
• Professional education
• Research and data collection
• Toxicosurveillance in real time

What To Do If A Poisoning Happens?

• Take the product to the phone (Take the child if s/he is the patient)
• Call the Upstate New York Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222
• A Specialist in Poison Information will ask you some questions, including:
  • Your name and phone number
  • Age and weight of patient
  • Name on container of product
  • Amount involved
  • Time of poisoning
  • Any symptoms
• The poison center will tell you what to do next

Who Will Answer My Call?

Every caller receives professional expert service:

• Calls are answered by Certified Specialists in Poison Information (CSPIs), registered nurses and pharmacists trained in toxicology
• Specialists provide the most efficient and up-to-date poison information available
• Physicians and toxicologists are on-call 24 hours a day for consultation purposes
• Other specialists are available for consultation

What to Expect When You Call Our Poison Center?

After careful listening, the Poison Specialist will generally tell you one of the following:

• This is not a problem, there is no need for medical care
  (e.g., A child ate some silica gel crystals found in a shoe box)
• The history you provided requires the patient be observed for a period of time to be sure s/he will be okay (The Certified Specialist in Poison Information will call back to check on the patient and no medical care is expected)
• Based on history provided, a trip to a physician or health care facility is necessary
  (The Certified Specialist in Poison information can arrange for an emergency transport if caller agrees)

On Monday March 20 at 1:00 p.m. the Erie County Executive’s Office and Erie County Health Department will announce the County’s support for National Poison Prevention Week with a proclamation signing.

Don’t forget all week long to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

We want residents in our 54-county footprint and all healthcare providers to know our availability because “When Poison Happens, We’re Here For You!”

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