GALVESTON, Texas - Several members of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the Southeast Texas Poison Center participated in the Galveston Independent School District's back to school fair held on Aug. 15 at the Galveston Island Convention Center.
Wendy Allen, a community education specialist with the poison center, provided information about the hazards of poisons to GISD students and parents, focusing on household poisons, bites and stings and plants.
"The GISD back to school event gave organizations like ours the opportunity to let the community know that we are available for them 24/7," said Allen. "We have trained toxicologists, pharmacologists and critical care nurses ready to assist callers on our toll-free line."
The poison center, located at UTMB, is one of a network of six regional centers established by the Texas Legislature to provide prevention and emergency treatment information to Texas residents and health care providers concerning poisonings or toxic exposures.
By dialing 800-222-1222, callers have access to a network of health care professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and physicians who have extensive knowledge, training and expertise in the field of clinical toxicology or poisoning.
These specialists have access to a comprehensive database of thousands of substances, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, that they can refer to as they manage each exposure call or request for information.
The toll-free number developed and maintained by the American Association of Poison Control Centers works similarly to 911 in that all calls are directed to the nearest poison center, which is available 24 hours a day and can translate calls from a variety of other languages, including Spanish.
Funding for the poison center is provided by the Texas Department of Health Services, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services, and through public or private donations. The SETPC also conducts public education activities for teachers, students and other groups in an effort to create safer environments for Texas residents.