The 3rd week in March has been designated as National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) by each and every President since John F. Kennedy started the tradition in 1962. The Illinois Poison Center is a strong advocate of poison prevention and has worked with the Governor, Legislature and City of Chicago to have the entire month of March declared Illinois Poison Prevention Month (IPPM).
I know, it seems like overkill, but the trends and outcomes of lowering pediatric poisoning in Illinois is worthy of the effort. Read more »
We’ve come to the final segment of our four-part “Meet the IPC Expert” series. Our staff of experts answered over 86,000 calls from the general public and healthcare professionals in Illinois last year. In their own words, learn about their professional background, favorite parts of the job, most interesting cases, and even learn what they enjoy doing outside the poison center. These interviews are interesting, sincere, personal and at times, a bit humorous! We invite you to get to know your poison center experts… Read more »
This week we continue our “Meet the IPC Experts” series with the second installment of our four part series. Our staff of experts answered over 86,000 calls from the general public and healthcare professionals in Illinois last year. In their own words, learn more about their professional background, favorite parts of the job, most interesting cases, and even learn what they enjoy doing outside the poison center. These interviews are, interesting sincere, personal, and a bit humorous at times! We invite you to get to know your poison center experts… Read more »
Calling the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) during an emergency can be a very stressful experience. As a parent calling about your child, your only concern is your child’s well-being; as a nurse or physician calling about a patient in your care, your focus is ensuring the best outcome for that patient. Even in a situation that requires you call to the IPC for yourself, YOU are your #1 concern.
Hysteria, panic, urgency, fear… are just some of the feelings that may take over when you call the IPC, however it’s the calming, reassuring and caring voice of the confident professional on the other line that makes the situation seem manageable. Now it’s time to meet the people on the other side of the call, our experts! Read more »
Say the word “poison” and most people conjure up an image of chemicals in a container marked with a skull and cross-bones, arsenic or even Agent Orange. But these are only a few of the thousands of substances the experts in the call center deal with that involve children and adults of all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. A majority of the calls involve medication errors, medication/drug reactions; cleaning/beauty care/automotive products, insect/animal bites and stings, plants, food, vitamins/supplements, lead, carbon monoxide and sometimes even regular drinking water, etc. Basically…anything and everything has the potential to be harmful; Read more »
The IPC managed nearly 77,000 exposures in 2011, and nearly 75% of these came from calls from the general public. In addition to providing expert recommendations and treatment advice, our IPC specialists collect information as well. If you have ever called the IPC, you may have balked at our request for certain personal information – ‘Why do you need that information? What’s so important about my zipcode?’ We ask for this information because we create a medical record just like at your doctor’s office. Most people expect that the receptionist will ask for basic information at your yearly check-up, and a ‘telephone visit’ with the IPC is very similar. And like the medical record at your doctor’s office, your IPC medical record is completely, absolutely, 100% confidential. Read more »
It won’t make you prettier. It won’t make you wealthier.
It WILL make you feel good, because you’ll be automatically helping
The Illinois Poison Center
It is believed that Americans spend nearly 2 billion dollars shopping online each year. One of the busiest shopping days is soon approaching: Valentine’s Day. Why not give something that costs you nothing?! That’s right. Not a dime more out of your pocket, but you must shop through the iGive program. Read more »
No, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is not a clandestine arm of the CIA, FBI, or KGB. However, it is staffed by a team of well qualified “SPIs” around the clock. So, what exactly is a SPI you ask? Read more »
If that second cup of coffee you just had doesn’t keep you awake tonight, here’s something that might. A recent issue of Pediatrics reviewed the effects of caffeine and energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults and found several concerning conclusions.
Did you know that over 500 new energy drink products were marketed worldwide in the last year? Also, did you know that these products are NOT regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Because of this lack of regulation, there is no maximum dose of caffeine in energy drinks. These products can contain high amounts of caffeine, a nervous system stimulant that is commonly found in your morning coffee, tea, and soft drinks. While caffeinated products may claim to increase exercise endurance and improve mood and memory, they are not without adverse effects, especially at higher doses. Read more »
Poisoning still remains a very serious public health problem in the United States. People encounter poisonous and toxic substances in their homes, communities, and work environments every day. Did you know unintentional poisoning deaths are the #1 cause of injury-related deaths for children ages 18-36 months and the 2nd leading cause of injury-related deaths for U. S. adults? Last year the IPC handled over 92,000 calls. Approximately 52% of those calls were regarding children age 5 and under. As part of our mission to reduce the incidence and injury of poisoning in our communities, the IPC uses the signature month of March to further spread the message of poison prevention to families and communities across Illinois. Read more »
Mr. Yuk is green, Mr. Yuk is mean! The logo and the saying are a part of poison prevention lore. Created in Pittsburgh in 1971 (yes, 2011 is the 40th anniversary of the iconic logo), it was to replace the more traditional poison symbol of the skull and crossbones . . . a symbol that did not deter the little Pittsburgh Pirate fans in the Steel City.
Mr. Yuk quickly developed a wide reach and has recognition value with adults who were children in the 70’s and beyond. However in the age groups most at risk for unintentional poisoning, 18 to 35 months of age, Mr. Yuk had no deterrent effect in this most vulnerable age group. More than one study cast doubt on the efficacy of Mr. Yuk as a deterrent in the 1980’s. Still, it is a symbol representative of poison prevention and poison centers for many. Read more »
This year’s slogan says it all: “If you shouldn’t have taken it, eaten it, touched it or let it bite you, call the experts who canhelp…1.800.222.1222.” Read more »
