The Nebraska Regional Poison Center is a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service designed to assess and make treatment recommendations during possible poisonings. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center also provides public and professional education programs, collects data on poisonings, conducts research in the field of clinical toxicology and assists first responders during hazardous materials incidents.

Facts about the Nebraska Regional Poison Center:

• Designated poison center for Nebraska, Wyoming, American Samoa, and Federated States of Micronesia.
• One of the oldest poison centers in the United States. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center was established in 1957.
• One of fifty-two poison centers in the United States certified as a regional poison center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
• Operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week with full information and treatment capabilities.
• Majority of funding is provided by The Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University Medical Center and University of Nebraska Medical Center.
• Staffed by specially trained registered nurses and physicians:
  • Medical Director: Steven Seifert, MD, FACMT, FACEP
  • Assistant Medical Director: Jennifer Audi, MD
  • Managing Director: Kathy Jacobitz, R.N., C.S.P.I.
  • Supervisor: Marcia Rasmussen, R.N. C.S.P.I.
  • Staff: 11 registered nurses who are Certified Poison Information Specialists,
  • and 2 registered nurses who are Poison Information Specialists.
• Toxicologist is available 24-hours per day for consultation with staff or physicians.
• Computerized information retrieval system with over 800,000 products listed. Twenty-four hour access to all major toxicology databases. Poison files continuously updated via staff medical literature review.
• Handled 36,425 calls in 2004. This represents an average of 100 calls per day.
• The Nebraska Regional Poison Center utilizes a computerized data collection system and records all calls automatically.
• The Nebraska Regional Poison Center provides a community education program through printed materials and audio-visuals.
• Professional education programs are also available.
• Commonly ingested items include medications, cosmetics and personal care products, cleaning products, pesticides, and plants.
• 60% of poisonings involve children under six years of age. Two-year-olds are the age group most frequently poisoned.

For more information including "Teachers Packets, Brochures, or Seasonal Hazards," check out Public Education.