Central Ohio Poison Center
As one of only 55 American Association of Poison Control Regional Certified Centers, The Central Ohio Poison Center provides state-of-the-art poison prevention, assessment and treatment for 64 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
The Center’s services are available to the public, medical professionals and industry and human service agencies. The Poison Center handles more than 42,000 poison exposure calls annually, and confidential, free emergency poisoning treatment advice is available to the public 24/7.
The "Be Poison Smart!"® Program provides poison prevention education to health care providers, students, parents and the general public in cooperation with agencies such as the Ohio Department of Health, Head Start and the Ohio Hospital Association.
If you think someone may be poisoned, please call 1 (800) 222-1222.
Poison Emergency
If you have a Poison Emergency, please call 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 two regional poison centers located in Columbus and Cincinnati.
Call the Poison Center first! You will get an expert immediately and it may save you a trip to the Emergency room. If a person is unconscious, call 911.
What is the nationwide poison center number?
All regional poison centers in the United States are accessed via 1 (800) 222-1222. When you call the number, you will reach one of the two Ohio Poison centers, located in Columbus or Cincinnati. The Central Ohio Poison Center in Columbus services 64 Ohio counties.
Who will answer the phone when you call?
Only highly trained Health care professionals, including pharmacists, nurses and physicians, staff the Central Ohio Poison Center. Additionally, they have passed a national certification exams. 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?
Poison centers save lives and save money. Each year, the Central Ohio Poison Center responds to more than 6,000 life threatening cases in hospitals around the state while also saving more than 12,000 emergency room visits by working over the phone with parents of young children.
Poison centers were critical in recognizing the dangers of laundry pods to young children and moving for safer child resistant packaging. Over the last 20 years, we have recognized and been at the forefront of numerous public health issues including liquid nicotine from e-cigarettes, powdered caffeine, the prescription pain medication epidemic, Algae bloom in the water supply, product recalls of leather protectant and bath salts. However, dwindling support from state and local government, as well as financial pressure on hospitals, has forced many poison control centers to close, including most recently one poison center here in Ohio.
Professional Resources
We offer resources for families and community based organizations.
Seeking resources? Contact our Community Resource Program.
Community Resource Program
Central Ohio Poison Center
700 Children's Dr.
Columbus, OH 43205
Community Resource/Educator : (614) 355-0463
Fax: (614) 355-0455
Leadership
Hannah L. Hays
Hannah L. Hays, MD, is medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital.