American Association of Poison Control Centers

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) is a national voluntary health organization founded in 1958 that represents the nation’s 55 poison centers. The AAPCC supports poison centers in their public health mission to prevent poisonings, provide education, conduct scientific research and treat individuals exposed to poisoning from medications, environmental events, plants, animals, and household products or toxins. The AAPCC also supports the efforts of poison centers and interested individuals to reduce morbidity and mortality from unintentional poisonings. The AAPCC sets standards for poison center operations and certifies specialists in poison information who are available 24/7 to respond to public, health-care provider and emergency medical service personnel requests for assistance. In addition, the AAPCC maintains the National Poison Data System, the only poison information and surveillance database in the United States.

United States poison centers compose a remarkable nationwide medical calls system. A single toll-free telephone number immediately connects a caller to a specialist in poison information anywhere in the U.S. at any time, day or night. A board-certified toxicologist can be reached within a few moments to provide confidential, expert medical advice to people who have been exposed to a poison. This extraordinary system is maintained by the voluntary cooperation of the 55-member organizations of the AAPCC.

The 24-hour national toll-free Poison Help line provides immediate poison information and emergency instructions to all callers regardless of health insurance, immigration status, or language preference from any U.S. telephone or cell phone. Calls are answered by physicians, nurses and pharmacists with highly specialized training in poison management. Poison center services are accessible to all populations, including under-served and undocumented groups, those speaking one of 150 languages and those utilizing telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired (TDD/TTY). More than 70 percent of all cases received by poison centers can be safely and effectively treated at home, without need for further medical care.

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