Drug and Poison Information Center Joins Launch of Hotline
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), a service of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, announced today that it is joining with 64 other poison centers in a campaign to raise awareness about 1-800-222-1222, a new life-saving national hotline for poison emergency treatment and advice.
The national launch of the hotline was held today at a child care facility at the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education in Washington, D.C.
"This new national hotline is an invaluable resource for families in the counties we serve," says Gaylene Tsipis, co-director of DPIC. "It will help ensure that no matter where they are, they will always know the number for the experts at the closest local poison center. In an emergency, when every second counts, this information is vitally important and could save a life."
By calling 1-800-222-1222, residents of eight counties in southwest Ohio, 10 counties in northeast Ohio, and 20 counties in northwest Ohio, will be connected automatically to DPIC. The poison control center's specially trained nurses, pharmacists and doctors will immediately respond to poison emergencies and answer poison-related questions about medications, household products and other potentially dangerous substances.
When traveling outside of the counties that DPIC serves, people will be connected to poison experts at the nearest poison center. By connecting callers to the closest center, the hotline is helping to ensure that people can always reach healthcare specialists most familiar with local concerns and the local health care community.
"Locally, the 558-5111 and 636-5111 numbers will continue to operate, but people are encouraged to use the new number so that they will know it when they travel outside of the area," says Earl Siegel, Cincinnati DPIC co-director. "We strongly encourage everyone to learn this new number so they can easily access it, anytime and anywhere in the United States. We highly encourage local citizens to call and take advantage of this free and confidential service."
The national campaign to raise awareness about the new toll-free hotline is sponsored by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). The campaign includes radio and print public service announcements, stickers, magnets, brochures and posters with the new hotline number. A new Web site, www.1-800-222-1222.info, has also been developed to provide poison prevention information.
The hotline and public awareness campaign are being conducted in accordance with the Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act (P.L. 106-174), approved by Congress in February 2000. Funding for the program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, which works in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC oversees activities related to the toll-free number through a cooperative agreement with AAPCC.
The Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) is a 24-hour emergency and technical information telephone service for anyone with concerns involving poison or drugs.
The center's specially trained staff of pharmacists, pharmacologists and nurses answer questions about poisonings, drug abuse, product contents, substance identification interactions and adverse reactions.
Contact Information
Jim Feuer (
jim.feuer@chmcc.org) 513-636-4656
