New RAND study shows U.S. poison centers save billions annually
North Texas Poison Center highlights local impact, encourages community to use 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 Texas, the North Texas Poison Center (NTPC), located at Parkland Health, responds to more than 64,000 exposure 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 outcomes.
The report also found that poison centers and their national infrastructure have significantly modernized over the last decade, expanding beyond traditional telephone calls to offer text and live chat services that better meet the changing needs of the public and the healthcare system.
“Our specialists manage thousands of calls each year from families, first responders, and healthcare teams across 42 counties in North Texas,” said Anthony Tarango, MSN, MBA, RN, Managing Director of the NTPC. “From urgent questions at home to consultations with clinicians, our team provides real-time guidance 24/7 to support patient safety across a large and diverse region.”
In addition to providing 24/7 expert guidance, the North Texas Poison Center offers poison prevention education and outreach at no cost to communities across its service area. NTPC public health educators conduct health fairs and lectures, share prevention materials, and lead programs such as the Poison Jungle Safari, National Poison Prevention Week poster and video contests, and Train-the-Trainer initiatives, helping raise awareness and prevent poison-related emergencies throughout North Texas.
For additional information, or to read the full report, visit poisoncenters.org/national-impact-study. For fast, free, confidential help for a potential poisoning or poison-related question, contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, PoisonHelp.org, or reach your local poison center by visiting www.poisoncontrol.org/about-us/north-texas-poison-center/.
About the North Texas Poison Center
The North Texas Poison Center, located at Parkland Health in Dallas, is a regional poison control center that provides expert medical advice and treatment recommendations for poisoning emergencies.
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.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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