Inside Pediatrics Spring 2015

of industrial chemical exposures, spills and toxic terrorism. The RPCC team also presents grand rounds on topics in clinical toxicology and offers medical toxicology consultations and other educational and clinical services. Special emphasis is placed on providing such education and service to rural, traditionally underserved areas through a partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health program. The collaboration has resulted in significant increases in the awareness of poison risks among those communities. In 2013, the RPCC launched the state’s first mobile application designed to identify toxic plants, venomous and poisonous snakes and insects, and dangerous common household products. The “PoisonPerils” iPhone app boasts more than 2,900 downloads to date and an Android version is in the center’s plans. Then and now Changes in American society over the past 50 years are reflected in many ways through the number and types of calls the RPCC receives. Laundry detergent pods and nicotine refills for e-cigarettes number among the most common ingestions these days, along with designer drugs such as “spice,” cleansers and medication that resembles candy. Last year, Children’s RPCC became the state’s only poison center following the somewhat sudden closing of a similar program in Tuscaloosa. The transition has increased the RPCC’s call volume by 60 percent and necessitated the immediate hiring of an additional six full- time employees. “Our phone never stops ringing,” Slattery said. More information is available at www.childrensal.org/rpcc .

Managing Director Ann Slattery (top) leads the RPCC staff comprised of specially trained registered nurses and pharmacists in answering more than 50,000 calls each year and compiling data that helps formulate public health policy.

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