Your First Responder

Katie, a curious two year old is found underneath the sink by her mom who thinks she may have been drinking bleach.  In a panic, her mother grabs the phone . . .

A comatose 53 year female is found on the floor surrounded by 6 empty pill bottles.  She is brought to a local emergency department for treatment.  The physician examines the patient and then reaches for the phone . . . 

A police officer pulls over a car that has been weaving on the roadway.  In the car, there is a baggie of unmarked pills and the officer wonders if they are the cause of the erratic driving.  He pulls out his cell phone . . .

A paramedic in a rural area picks up someone who just drank windshield wiper fluid.  He wonders what sort of symptoms might develop in the 30 minute transport to the hospital.  He picks up the phone and calls . . .

Illinois State Law Enforcement would like regular reports on the epidemic of synthetic drugs in Illinois.  They reach for the phone and dial . . .

These are just a few of the reasons people and organizations call the Illinois Poison Center.   The IPC is a first responder that provides critical, needed information at the point of care, whether it is a frantic care-giver or an experienced emergency department physician looking for help with a complex, critically ill poisoned patient.

Read more »