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 66th 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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