By the Numbers

The Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center provides vital information to Maricopa County and all Arizona residents.

In 2010, the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center managed over 109,000 documented calls.

Calls received by the Poison Center included:

• 47,157 human poisonings (exposures to toxins and other poisons)
• 17,983 pediatric exposures age five and under
• 3,188 exposures ages 6-12
• 3,555 exposures ages 13-19
• 11,837 persons bitten or stung by snakes, scorpions, spiders or other venomous/poisonous creatures
• 61,843 calls for information about  possible poisonous substances, drugs and teratogens (chemicals that can cause birth defects) and calls about poisonings in animals
• 97 percent were poisoned in their own home
• 82 percent of the poisonings were unintentional
• 75  percent of the poisoning exposures were managed at home
• 22 percent of the poisoning exposures were managed in a health care facility

How we help:

• Callers are helped in more than 150 languages.
• More than 150,000 outgoing follow-up calls were made in response to the incoming calls.
• During 2010, 35,368 people were treated for their poisonings in their own home without a trip to the emergency room.
• Surveys indicate that about 29,000 callers would have gone to their local emergency department if in-home management had not been available from the Poison Center. This savings is estimated to be more than $30 million in unadjusted health care expenses.
• Toxicology physicians, nurses and education coordinator provided more than 50 lectures, presentations, workshops and participated in health fairs for the general public and medical community.
• We distributed more than 80,000 education materials throughout Maricopa County to community groups and individuals.