o get help online, or call 1-800-222-1222. There are 2 ways to get help from Poison Control. Use webPOISONCONTROL®

The National Capital Poison Center, founded in 1980, is an independent, private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In recognition of its high quality, the Center is accredited by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The Center is not a government agency.

Mission

The mission of National Capital Poison Center is to prevent poisonings, save lives, and limit injury from poisoning. In addition to saving lives, Poison Control decreases health care costs of poisoning cases.

Services

24 hour telephone guidance for poison emergencies is provided, free of charge, by Certified Specialists in Poison Information, with back-up by board-certified physician toxicologists. The Specialist continues to follow each case, with frequent calls back, until all symptoms have resolved and parents and patients are reassured. It is the combination of experienced Certified Specialists in Poison Information and frequent telephone follow-up which makes treatment at home possible and safe. More than 85% of the poisonings in patients who call the Poison Center before going to a health care facility can be managed entirely at home, with telephone guidance from the Poison Center. This number increases to more than 92% for pediatric poison exposures when the Poison Center is consulted first, before other medical intervention is sought.

web POISON CONTROL ® Online guidance for poison emergencies, through thetool. This tool and downloadable app provide online help for acute, unintentional poisonings. Download the app on App Store or Google play to be prepared for a poison emergency.

Poison prevention education is delivered through:

Distribution of more than 865,000 teaching and prevention materials (stickers, magnets, brochures, DVDs, posters) for every child enrolled in a preschool or child care center and to all pediatrician offices and health clinics in the area. Materials are also distributed through hospitals, health fairs, fire departments, community and church groups school nurses, and classes for babysitters and new parents. Media-based programs (press releases, interviews, public service announcements, radio and TV appearances). The Poison Post ® , National Capital Poison Center's eNewsletter, delivery updates on poisoning hazards to 35,000 subscribers. , National Capital Poison Center's eNewsletter, delivery updates on poisoning hazards to 35,000 subscribers. Facebook page (National Capital Poison Center) and Twitter account where time sensitive prevention and awareness messages are posted.

Hazard detection and elimination through poisoning surveillance. Poisonings are best prevented by detecting unusual hazards and working with industry and regulatory agencies to reformulate, repackage or ban unnecessarily hazardous products before children are needlessly injured. National Capital Poison Center has an active product surveillance program and has taken the lead in numerous regulatory petitions and industry and consumer alerts.

Professional education in state-of-the-art treatment of poisonings is provided for more than 3,000 physicians, medical students, residents, nurses, and paramedics each year.

Health care cost-containment. The residents of the Washington, DC metro area save at least $18 million annually in unnecessary health care costs by using Poison Control. By handling 66% of poison exposure cases at home, Poison Control helps poisoned patients avoid the cost (and stress of) unnecessary emergency department visits and ambulance runs. Studies have shown that poison centers are at least three times more cost effective than child safety seats, smoke detectors, or bicycle helmets.

Consult Volume (2018)

167,760 consultations including:

telephone management for 40,406 human poison exposures and 1,498 pet poisonings 114,651 hu man poison exposures managed online through web POISON CONTROL ® 11,205 c alls for medical, drug, or poison prevention information

12,136 consultations to physicians and nurses caring for poisoned patients



Service Area

Washington, DC

Maryland Counties: Montgomery Prince Georges

Virginia Counties:

Arlington Fairfax Fauquier Loudoun Prince William Stafford

Virginia Cities:

Alexandria Fairfax Falls Church Manassas Manassas Park

International scope: web POISON CONTROL ®



Annual Budget

$5.5 million, supported through grants and contributions

Staff

Director (a medical toxicologist)

Medical toxicologists (part time staff and consultants)

Clinical toxicologists

Certified Specialists in Poison Information

Development Director & Treasurer

Executive Associate and Educators

Office & Outreach Manager

Student Assistants

Network Administrator (part time)

Other Information