Healthcare Systems

Poison Control Centers

Authorizing Legislation - Sections 1271-1273 of the Public Health Service Act. 

FY 2008 Authorization.....................................................National Toll Free Number - $2,000,000
FY 2008 Authorization............................Nationwide Media Campaign - Such Sums as Necessary
FY 2008 Authorization..................................Poison Control Center Grant Program - $27,500,000

Statement of the Budget Request - The FY 2008 Budget of $10,000,000 is a decrease of $13,068,000 below the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution (CR).

Program Description - Poison Control Centers (PCCs) are an integral and vital part of our Nation’s health system which should be available to all Americans. Currently, a national toll-free number, (800) 222-1222, is fully funded and operational in all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and connects callers with the PCC serving the geographic area from which calls are placed.

The Poison Control Center Enhancement and Awareness Act (P.L. 106-174) was enacted in February 2000 to provide a source of supplemental support to PCCs and was amended and reauthorized in December 2003 (P.L. 108-194). The purpose of the Act is to provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilization of PCC funding. Activities have been funded by local and State public and private funds. The majority of the funds are used to support a grant program for the PCCs. Funds also maintain the national toll-free number and language line for the 61 poison centers, continue a media campaign to advertise that number, and support other system enhancements including improvement of data collection. These, and related activities help to ensure universal access to quality poison control services and introduce necessary improvements to provide comprehensive quality services for the entire population, particularly children who are the most vulnerable to poisonings.

Rationale for the Budget Request - The FY 2008 Budget of $10,000,000 reflects a reduction of $13,068,000 below the FY 2007 CR. Fifty-eight of 61 poison centers are now certified, making 95 percent of poison centers certified. This is up from 78 percent in 2001. Poison centers have been able to stabilize their funding for basic operations and many have partnered with public health and health agencies. HRSA’s funding represents less than 7 percent of total
funding for poison control operations, compared with 15 percent in previous years. In FY 2008, the budget proposes continuing to assist centers to improve their operations and achieve certification and self-sufficiency. HRSA will also use funding to support the national toll-free number and language line services for non-English speaking callers.

Funding levels for the Poison Control Centers Program during the last five years reflect this effort and are as follows:

Outputs

Performance Analysis - The Poison Control Program manages the national toll-free number
(1-800-222-1222) to access the poison control centers (PCCs), provides support to PCCs across the United States, promotes universal access to PCC services, and encourages the enhancement and improvement of poison education, prevention, and treatment. As part of these activities, uniform, evidence-based guidelines are under development to assist PCCs in managing patients out-of-the hospital. Sixteen uniform guidelines have been developed, with one focusing on the treatment of the 35 non-toxic substances and 15 for the treatment of toxic substances. Ten of these guidelines were completed in FY 2006 making the total 16, surpassing the original 2007 performance goal of 12. In FY 2006, there remain four PCCs with 24-hour bilingual staff, one below the 2006 performance goal of five. However, in September of 2006, HRSA began providing translation services to all 61 PCCs through a service called Language Line. Language Line provides translation services in 161 languages thereby providing a cost effective means for all PCCs to offer 24-hour bilingual services. The 2006 percentage of inbound volume calls for the toll-free number, as a percentage of total call volume, was at 57.5 percent. The 2006 figure rose 5.5 percent from the 2005 figure and exceeds the 49.1 percent target set for 2006. (See “Details of Performance Analysis.”)

The Poison Control Program was reviewed using the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) for the FY 2006 budget and was given a rating of Adequate. In connection with the PART assessment, the program is collecting data from program partners on new performance measures and assisting grantees with implementing and reporting on initiatives to address financial stability.