Facts

Did You Know…

• The Washington Poison Center (WAPC) is available 24 hours a day for emergency and non-emergency telephone consultations regarding the entire spectrum of poisons and drugs—from the latest information on new prescription and non-prescription medications to the most current management of toxic substance exposures. Using specialized electronic and text references, along with physician-reviewed treatment guidelines, WAPC specialists are able to offer assistance with a wide variety of information and exposure calls.
• Of all exposure calls received by the Washington Poison Center, over 90% are safely managed over the phone at home or on-site, with evaluation, instructions, and follow-up calls by staff, reducing the number of unnecessary and potentially costly aid dispatches, transports, and emergency department visits. CDC studies show that every dollar spent on a poison center saves seven dollars in overall health care costs.
• WAPC can assist 911 center personnel with:

1. Decisions to send aid versus home management–based on substance involved, nature of exposure, and dispatch center guidelines
2. Decisions regarding which level of care (ALS / BLS) may be indicated
3. Specific instructions and guidance to the caller until arrival of EMS

• • Note: All communications between EMS providers, 911 professionals, and poison centers are protected under current HIPAA guidelines.
• The Poison Center is integrated in to the state’s regional hospital emergency preparedness plan relating to chemical and biological terrorism. WAPC maintains a satellite phone, 800 MHz radio, and UHF / VHF amateur radio equipment for communicating statewide with hospitals, health departments, and county emergency operations centers (EOCs) should telephones either fail or become unavailable.
• Special unlisted back line access to WAPC is available exclusively for 911 centers, Fire / EMS providers, and law enforcement: Call 1-800-222-1222 and ask for the backline (we do not publicize it on our website). The current number to be given out to the public is 1-800-222-1222. Calls are answered immediately by certified Poison Information Specialists who are registered nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals—supported at all times by a physician toxicologist.
• “Toxicosurveillance” is ongoing 24 hours. Data from poison exposures (substances, symptoms, etc.—without patient identifiers) is transmitted in real time to the CDC for identification of clusters, outbreaks, or possible chemical or bio-terrorism events. All fifty-seven poison centers in the U.S. transmit their cases, resulting in the largest actively monitored public health database of its kind.
• WAPC hosts medical, nursing, pharmacy and EMS professionals and students throughout the year. If you are interested in scheduling a visit, a tour, or a rotation, please let us know.
• The Washington Poison Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization contracted to the Department of Health—EMS and Trauma Prevention. WAPC serves all of Washington from its call center in Seattle and is funded biennially via state and federal sources as well as private donations.