March 2, 2015: Fast Facts about TPC and National Poison Prevention Week March 15-21, 2015

 

  1. Poisoning is the #1 cause of injury death in Tennessee! Poisoning is now the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in Tennessee – ahead of motor vehicle crashes, drowning, and gunshot wounds.

 

  1. Since 1962, the President of the United State has proclaimed the third week of March as National Poison Prevention Week to raise awareness about the dangers of poisoning.

 

  1. Poison prevention is for everyone, from children to seniors. Poisonings span a lifetime. Free poison prevention materials are available. Call (615) 936-0760 to make a request.

 

  1. Tennessee Poison Center is the state’s only poison control center and serves all 95 counties. TPC is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of every Tennessee resident through the free, confidential, Poison Help medical hotline and poison prevention.

 

  1. If a poison emergency happens, it’s good to know help is just a phone call away. The nurses, pharmacists, and physicians who answer the Poison Help hotline provide immediate treatment recommendations. Interpreters are available for over 150 languages. All calls are fast, free, and confidential.

 

  1. Every resident should program his/her cell phone with the Poison Help number and post it near the home phone. 1-800-222-1222.

 

  1. Last year, TPC received 57,728 calls from Tennessee residents. TPC provides free treatment advice and information for everyone in Tennessee, including parents, teens, older adults, pediatricians, emergency medical staff, school nurses and guidance counselors.

 

  1. Every $1 spent on poison centers saves $13 in unnecessary healthcare costs.

     70 percent of those who call TPC are treated at home and don’t have to go to their

     physician or hospital.

 

  1. Last year TPC saved the state of Tennessee an estimated $5,000,000 by preventing emergency department visits for the underinsured.

 

Tennessee Poison Center saves lives and saves valuable healthcare dollars.

 

This question prepared by:  Josephine Darwin, Director of Community Outreach

 

I am interested in any questions you would like answered in the Question of the Week.  Please email me with any suggestion at donna.seger@vanderbilt.edu

 

Donna Seger, MD

Medical Director

Tennessee Poison Center

Website:  www.tnpoisoncenter.org

Poison Help Hotline: 1-800-222-1222