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Poison Control
By Greg Friese
Category: Clinical Practice
Program this phone number into your cell phone right now: 1-800-222-1222.
It is the nationwide Poison Control Center phone number; your call will be routed to a regional or state poison control center. When you call the poison control center number regarding an ingested poison, have this information ready:
- Patient’s gender, age and weight
- Ingested substance(s) — if known
- Amount ingested — exact or approximate
- Dose size if pills were ingested
- Time of ingestion
- Patient’s signs, symptoms and most recent vital signs
- Any treatment self-administered by patient, bystanders, EMS or emergency department
- Other co-ingestants — like alcohol and drugs
- Additional information that might be helpful — was this an accidental or intentional ingestion
Be prepared for additional questions from the poison control center call taker. Write down the directions provided, ask any clarifying questions, and provide treatments appropriate to your skills, training and authorization.
Learn more about Poison Control Centers at www.aapcc.org and call your poison control center for stickers and magnets to put near landline telephones.
