National Capital Poison Center
At a Glance

The National Capital Poison Center, founded in 1980, is an independent, private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with The George Washington University Medical Center. In recognition of its high quality, the Center is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

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

SERVICES:

24-hour telephone guidance for poisoning 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. About 72% of poisonings are managed entirely at home with telephone guidance from the Poison Center. Poison prevention education is delivered through:   1) Distribution of teaching materials to area preschools and child care centers; 2) Distribution of 2.3 million prevention materials in 2008 through pediatrician and ob/gyn offices, preschools, child care centers, health clinics, hospitals, obstetrical units, health fairs, fire departments, public libraries, community and church groups, Safe Kids coalitions, PTAs, school nurses, and classes for babysitters and new parents; 3) Media-based programs (press releases, interviews, public service announcements, radio and TV appearances). The Center's 2008 radio campaign included 1,994 radio spots on WPGC, WKYS, WTOP, El Zol, and DC101 with 34 million gross impressions reaching 2.1 million people; and 4) The Poison Post™, the Center's quarterly e-newsletter, delivering updates on poisoning hazards to 5,000 readers. 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. The 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 3,300 physicians, medical students, residents, nurses and paramedics each year. Health care cost-containment. The residents of the region save at least $18 million annually in unnecessary health care costs by using the Poison Center. By handling 72% of cases over the phone at home, the Center 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.

CALL VOLUME (2008):

60,486 telephone consultations including:   telephone management for 41,225 human poison exposures and 2,676 pet poisonings, including 10,500 consultations to physicians and nurses caring for the poisoned patients. 16,190 calls for medical, drug, or poison prevention information.

SERVICE AREA:

DC Maryland: Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties Virginia:   Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford Counties Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park Cities National scope for product safety surveillance projects.

ANNUAL BUDGET: $3.3 million, supported through grants and contributions

STAFF:

Director (a medical toxicologist) Medical Toxicologist (part time) Clinical Toxicologist/Educator 13 Certified Specialists in Poison Information Development Director Executive Associate and Student Assistants Program Associate Network Administrator (part time)

OTHER INFORMATION:
Address: 3201 New Mexico Ave, Suite 310 Washington, DC 20016
Administrative Line: 202-362-3867
Emergency Line: 1-800-222-1222
Fax: 202-362-8377
E-mail: pc@poison.org

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Web Site: www.poison.org