Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Alabama Department of Public
Health
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
• Calling the Poison Center is a FREE service.
• There is no cost to you.
• If you have questions about a product or if someone has
been expose to something, the Poison Center is here to
HELP you.
• The Poison Center has access to information on over
300,000 poisonous substances, and our data base is updated
every 3 months.
• A toxicologist or medical doctor is on call at all times, and
consultants in all areas of chemicals, drugs, plants, etc. are
available when needed.
• For poisonings related to animals, a veterinary toxicologist is
on call.
• The time between an exposure and treatment can often save
lives and reduce symptoms.
• Some exposures do not cause immediate symptoms, but
treatment is essential to prevent problems or save lives.
• Poison Center staff need to get an accurate history of what
happened to the person exposed to a poison or bite.
• The name and phone number of the person calling and the
person exposed are needed so the Poison Center can call
back if disconnected or later to check on the situation.
• Treatment recommendations given by the Poison Center
are determined by the following information:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
– Age
– Weight
– Medical History
– Preexisting health conditions
– Past allergies
– Exact name of product - Many products have similar
names but different active ingredients.
– Strength of the medication - Many medications are
available in different strengths.
– Amount of product involved in the exposure
– Time of exposure
– Symptoms experienced
– Hospital the person exposed will go to if needed
• If the person exposed to a poison or bite is referred to
the hospital, the Poison Center will call the hospital
and give treatment recommendations.
• A medical record (chart) is made on all calls.
• All information obtained is entered into the chart along
with treatment recommendations from Poison Center
staff.
• Additional information is charted as the Poison Center
follows the case until symptoms have resolved.
• All information is confidential.
• Patient's names are given out ONLY in the event of
referral to the hospital, and then ONLY to appropriate
health care personnel.
• A return call will be made, ONLY if an exposure has
occurred, unless otherwise requested.
• The number of times Poison Center staff check back with
a caller or the person exposed depends on both the type
of exposure and symptoms experienced as a result of the
exposure.
• If you are not home when the Poison Center calls, a
message will be left on your answering machine to return
our call.
• It is the intent of the Poison Center to follow all
exposures until symptoms have resolved or until the time
period for symptoms to occur has lapsed.
• Sometimes this involves calling back during the night.
• Often it is important that the parent or relative check on
the person exposed during the night to make sure no
unexpected symptoms have occurred.
• The Poison Center has several incoming lines and
receives calls from all over the state.
• Sometimes it may be necessary to put a caller on hold to
answer another line.
• Sometimes calls have to be answered in order of severity.
• The Poison Center staff make every effort to obtain the
necessary information and complete calls as quickly as
possible.
• You can help Poison Center staff by having as much
information as possible about the situation so that we can
help you quickly.
• The Poison Center takes calls about poison exposures in
pets.
• Sometimes the only available option is to seek
assistance from your veterinarian.
• Even if home management is recommended for your pet,
referral to a veterinarian is often made for follow-up
purposes.
• The Poison Center welcomes donations to support our
services to the public.
• YOUR support will help ensure that our free services to
you continue.
• Personal checks can be sent directly to the Poison
Center at the address below. Make checks payable to:
Alabama Poison Center.
• Your support is tax deductible.
• Become a Train-the-trainer.
• Be a community advocate for the Alabama Poison Center.
• Tell others about the Poison Center and our services, such
as churches, schools, scouting organizations, garden
clubs, women’s clubs and after school programs.
The Alabama Poison Center I 2503 Phoenix Drive I Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 I FAX 205-345-7189
