The Central Ohio Poison Center provides the people of central and southeastern Ohio with state-of-the-art poison prevention, assessment, and treatment. One of 61 American Association of Poison Control Regional Certified Centers. The Central Ohio Poison Center handles more than 42,000 poison exposure calls annually. Pharmacist and nurses, specially trained and certified in poisoning treatment, staff the Poison Center, supervised by a Board-Certified Medical Toxicologist. The Poison Center's services are used by the public, medical professionals (in pre-hospital, hospital and community practice), industry and human service agencies.
Confidential emergency poisoning treatment advice is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service is provided free to the public.
The Central Ohio Poison Center's "Be Poison Smart!"® Program provides education and materials to healthcare professionals, students, parents and the general public.
Clinics & Ambulatory Services:
Community Resource Program Central Ohio Poison Center 700 Children's Dr. Columbus, OH 43205 Phone: (614) 355-0463 Fax: (614) 355-0455
Services Available:
"Be Poison Smart!"® Teaching Guidelines
Annually, over 1 million children under the age of five are poisoned, with more than 130,000 needing medical attention. These cases account for more than 50% of all poison exposures reported in the United States.
8 out of 10 poison exposures can be managed at home, without the high cost of 911 emergency services or hospital visits. Yet, less than half of all families call a poison center when a child or other family member is poisoned.
Here's how to Be Poison Smart
When you bring something home THINK: "Is this product a pretty poison?" "Is this medicine or pills?" "Does it have alcohol, gasoline in it?" "Does it contain insecticides or pesticides?" If any answer is yes, store the product out of sight and out of reach of young children If you think someone is poisoned, call the Poison Center first! If they're unconscious, call 911. Poison Emergency: 1-800-222-1222 or (T.T.Y.): 1-866-688-0088
Help is there 24 hours every day.
Calls are confidential and free to the public.
Bring the person and the poison to the phone when you call.
Lower chances of getting lead poisoning:
Wash hands often
Eat foods high in calcium and iron
Check for lead paint chips
Ask a doctor or health department about lead screening
Central Ohio Poison Center, Columbus, OH Poison Emergency: 1-800-222-1222 This national poison emergency hotline number connects callers to the closest/local poison center. Ohio residents are serviced by one of the 3 regional poison centers located in Cleveland, Cincinnati or Columbus.
The Central Ohio Poison Center also offers assistance to the hearing impaired (T.T.Y.): 1-866-688-0088.
Call the Poison Center first! If a person is unconscious, call 911.
What is the nationwide poison center number? All regional poison centers in the United States will be accessed via 1-800-222-1222. When you call the number, you will reach one of the three Ohio Poison centers, located in Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus.
Who will answer the phone when you call? Health care professionals including pharmacists, nurses or physicians staff the Central Ohio Poison Center. Most of them have passed a special certification exam classifying them as certified specialists in poison information (CSPI). They are local experts who know the community and are trusted by local doctors, pharmacists, paramedics and nurses to provide the best information on poison-related questions and treatments.
Why is it important to support poison centers? In December 1993, members of an Oregon family suffered severe respiratory symptoms after using a new type of leather cleaning spray. An alert poison control center director notified colleagues nationally and set in motion a response to the potential crisis. Within four hours, the manufacturer had voluntarily recalled the aerosol cleaner and stores throughout the country were directed to remove the product from their shelves. For over 20 years, poison control centers have prevented or restricted public health catastrophes such as the leather spray episode. However, dwindling support from state and local government, as well as financial pressure on hospitals, have forced many poison control centers to close.
Who should we thank for making this possible? United States Senator Mike DeWine recognized the value of poison centers and lead the effort to enact "The Poison Center Enhancement and Awareness Act," which was passed into law in 1999.
If you need to have a medication identified or want to obtain more information about your medication, please contact your pharmacist or visit www.Drugs.com. This site is an accurate, comprehensive and current online source of drug information, providing free and independent advice on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and natural products.
