Poison control center

A poison control center is a medical service that is able to provide immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances. Poison control centers answer questions about potential poisons in addition to providing treatment management advice about household products, medicines, pesticides, plants, bites and stings, food poisoning, and fumes. In the US, more than 72% of poison exposure cases are managed by phone, greatly reducing the need for costly emergency department and doctor visits.[1][2]

  1. ^ "American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) National Poison Data System (NPDS) Annual Report". 2009.
  2. ^ Miller T, Lestina D (1997). "Costs of poisoning in the United States and savings from poison control centers: a benefit-cost analysis". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 29 (2): 239–245. doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(97)70275-0. PMID 9018189.