Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My niece swallowed a small magnet. My SIL called the poison control and they said to take her to the ER. While she was on the phone with poison control, my brother talked to their Pediatrician. The Pediatrician said they could wait on the ER and gave them the list of symptoms to look for. They did not take my niece to the ER. Poison Control called back and got upset that they had not taken the niece to th ER. Poison control reported them to the Police for child endangerment. The police arrived at the house several hours later and required that they see and talk to my niece. So she had to be woken up so the Police could confirm that she was ok. The next day a Social Worker showed up. It took 2 weeks to clear the entire situation.
How would poison control know she wasn't taken to the ER?
NP here. I assume that when poison control called back, they asked the parents if she'd been taken to the ER and the parents said no. In my experience, having called poison control several times, they always call back to check up on the situation and to see how the kid is doing.
And, having called pet poison control as well, they did not call back and follow up. There are several pet poison control numbers and they cost different amounts. I think the one we used was $49.
Anonymous wrote:Radiolab did a really interesting podcast on poison control https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/poison-control
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a child that is suicidal at times and has overdosed several times. Until this I had no idea but the emergency room calls poison control when there is an overdose and they walk the doctors through what to watch for and what are the signs of stability. Also the school called the time he overdosed at school. They are so valuable to our community.
My own personal story. I was trying to open a tube of glue - might have been the type you use for model cars. It was stuck so I used my teeth. When it came loose I got glue in my mouth. The warnings on the package were terrifying. I called poison control and they instructed me on washing out my mouth and kept me calm - I was sure I was going to die of my own stupidity. Suffice it to say I have not opened any non food item with my teeth since and that was a decade ago.
Yes this is a great point that no one has made yet, I was amazed when I worked in a hospital how much the drs relied on poison control. It helps in so many different areas. And like others have said they rely on funding from all of us. I believe they receive some federal funding, but they are not a federal entity. So those reading this - consider donating! they were at risk of needing to close not that long ago. I also had a great experience when I called for my toddler.
Anonymous wrote:Love how non judgmental they are