What is the Finger Lakes Regional
Poison & Drug Information Center?
Established in 1954, the Center is the second oldest poison center in the United States.  It is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers as a certified regional poison control center and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.  The Center, located at the University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital, is staffed by physicians, medical toxicologists and Specialists in Poison Information who are registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians or pharmacists. 

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What does the Poison Center do?
The staff has advanced levels of clinical experience and extensive training in the management of poisonings.   They provide information regarding emergency poisoning exposures, information on prescription and non-prescription medications, questions on drug interactions as well as information for health care professionals about breastfeeding.

For each call the Poison Center receives, the staff determines the treatment needed after careful evaluation of the patient and the severity of the exposure.  Follow-up calls and evaluations are made until the patient is out of danger, whether the patient is treated at home or at a health care facility.  The staff utilize a variety of databases with product and patient management information.   Supplementing this information are texts, journals, and community consultants.

Public education and outreach are important services of the Center that strive to reduce the number and severity of poison exposures.  Calls to the Center involving children conclude by providing poison prevention information.  Educational presentations using a train-the-trainer approach are made to school staff, parents, grandparents, other child care providers, health professionals, community leaders and those caring for older adults.   The education program also distributes brochures, telephone stickers, videos and teacher guides.  The theme, "Every Day is Poison Prevention Day," is used throughout the region.  A quarterly newsletter is published
for the public.

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What additional services does the
Poison Center provide?
Professional, up-to-date, continuing education on toxicology for the region's medical community is provided by the medical director, associate medical director and the managing director.  The Center also serves as an educational site for medical students and pediatric and emergency medicine residents from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.  A quarterly newsletter is sent to regional health professionals.

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What is the Poison Center's Mission?
The proficiency, expertise and leadership of the Center's staff make it a vital part of the health care of the region.  The staff is dedicated to achieve their mission to prevent poisoning, deaths and disorders due to poisoning and reduce costs associated with poisonings.

The Center also saves health care dollars for the health care community and the public.   In 2001, of the 16,038 calls made to the poison center, 12,66 3 were managed on site without referral to a health care facility.  Based on the New York State Department of Health projections, the Center saved over $3.6 million in emergency charged through safe and effective telephone management of these poisonings. 

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Who calls the Poison Center?
Anyone can call the Finger Lakes Poison Center -- mothers and fathers, babysitters, teachers, school nurses, health care providers, industry, friends.  The Poison Center is happy to answer any questions or provide assistance at any time.

What areas does the Center serve?
The Center serves the twelve county Finger Lakes region:

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