Utah Poison Control Center Highlights Local Impact and Encourages Community to Utilize Free, Life-Saving Services
U.S. Poison Centers save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a new independent study released by America’s Poison Centers®. Conducted by RAND the report confirms that Poison Centers provide substantial economic and societal benefits for communities across the country. In Utah, the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) responds to more than 40,000 cases annually and provides critical services to prevent poisonings and 24/7 expert support to families and individuals in the community.
The RAND report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that for every $1 invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits. These cost-saving benefits reflect reduced emergency department use, shortened hospital stays, decreased mortality risk, enhanced public health surveillance, and improved patient outcome.
However, despite their growing value, overall funding for Poison Centers has decreased by 8 percent from 2011 to 2024 in real dollars, in addition to a decrease in subsidized support. Amid rising healthcare costs, these budget cuts are an increasing threat to the ability of Poison Centers to provide life-saving services and essential 24/7 coverage.
“This study confirms what we experience on every call — fast access to our specialists can often keep people safe at home, prevent costly ER visits, and guide health care providers in treating complex cases,” said Amberly R. Johnson, PharmD, DABAT, Director of Utah Poison Control Center. “We are here 24/7 for Utah families, caregivers, and clinicians.”
In addition to 24/7 guidance to the public and healthcare professionals Utah Poison Control Center also supports disaster response, medication safety education, substance use and overdose prevention, product surveillance, and special hotlines during public health emergencies such as measles outbreaks or COVID-19.
For additional information, read the full report here.
About Utah Poison Control Center
The UPCC is always free, confidential, and there to help with any poison emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The experts that answer the phone are pharmacists or nurses who have extra training in toxicology. The majority of calls to UPCC are for children under the age of 6 years. Because of children’s naturally curious nature, this age group is at a higher risk for poison exposures. However, the most serious poisonings occur in adults. Poison control is available for people of all ages. It's something you never outgrow! What's more, you don’t have to be experiencing a poison emergency to call. UPCC experts answer questions too... so call first, to prevent a poisoning. Whether you have a medication question or need help with a poison exposure, skip the internet... just pick up the phone and call the experts for quick help when you need it most!
About America’s Poison Centers
America’s Poison Centers® represents the 53 accredited Poison Centers across the country. We are united in our cause to prevent poison-related health emergencies in America. Through the national Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and PoisonHelp.org our member centers provide all Americans expert advice. We also maintain the National Poison Data System® (NPDS), our nation’s only near real-time poisoning data surveillance system, integrating the latest information from across Poison Centers
Media Contact:
Kylene Metzger
Media Relations Manager, Public Affairs, University of Utah Health
Email: Kylene.Metzger@hsc.utah.edu
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