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Audio clips Steven Seifert, M.D., talks about the value of poison control centers. Sharon McColligan, grandmother of Tedd Merrill, talks about how glad she is that things have changed with childproof bottles. Sharon McColligan, grandmother of Tedd Merrill, talks about calling the poison control center 16 years ago. Tedd Merrill, 16, talks about how he almost died 15 years ago of iron pill poisoning. Kathy Jacobitz, managing director, Nebraska Regional Poison Center, talks about how 40 children died of iron poisoning the same year Tedd Merrill ingested it. Kathy Jacobitz, managing director, Nebraska Regional Poison Center, talks about the fact that Ted survived taking 33 iron pills when he was 22 months old. U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., talks about the Nebraska Regional Poison Center, which benefited government funding from the work of former Sen. David Karnes and Terry. Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey talks about how the center made a difference in saving people’s lives. |
Fifty years and more than one million phone calls. The year 2007 marks a half-century of service for the Nebraska Regional Poison Center. Born under the leadership of two visionary physicians, Dr. Matilda McIntire and Dr. Carol Angle, the poison center has become a reliable resource and a mainstay for families across the region and beyond.
“The Nebraska Regional Poison Center provides an essential community service. We have saved thousands of lives over the years by providing immediate treatment advice regarding poisonings to both the public and healthcare professionals.” said Kathy Jacobitz, managing director. “We are proud to celebrate our 50th anniversary and we look forward to the future.”
Back in the 1950s, poisonings were treated with syrup of ipecac, mercury thermometers were used to check for a fever, the drug thalidomide was being introduced to pregnant mothers, aspirin came in large bottles without safety caps, and thousands of children died each year from accidental poisonings. Pediatricians and other healthcare professionals realized that they needed 24-hour access to immediate treatment information on all of those toxins. Poison centers sprang up around the country in large numbers, but have now developed into regional emergency telephone and education centers, staffed by registered nurses, pharmacists, and physicians specializing in toxicology.
A half-century later, the Nebraska Regional Poison Center has grown from taking a few calls a day to being a nationally certified 24-hour center that receives approximately 38,000 incoming phone calls per year with an additional 33,000 follow-up calls made by poison control experts. Calls originate from both healthcare professionals and the public throughout Nebraska, Wyoming, American Samoa, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“The Nebraska Regional Poison Center has a staff of 15 registered nurses and 3 physicians. They are a well-trained, nationally certified, highly dedicated group of professionals with a wealth of experience in managing poisonings.” said Jacobitz.
The center has grown and prospered under the sponsorship of The Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University Medical Center, and University of Nebraska Medical Center. This support has enabled the Nebraska Regional Poison Center to continue its mission of providing timely, quality care for poisoned patients throughout the region.
Tedd Merrill’s life saved by Nebraska Poison Center 15 years ago at 22 months old
Fifteen years ago, Tedd Merrill was a typical, curious 22-month-old toddler. He opened a bottle of iron supplements and ingested several tablets. His grandmother, Sharon McColligan, called the Nebraska Regional Poison Center and spoke with a nurse who recommended the child be immediately taken to the nearest hospital. Tedd subsequently became very ill and was transferred to Children’s Hospital.
His blood iron level was considered to be lethal since there were no previous reports of survival with levels that high. Nebraska Regional Poison Center’s toxicologist contacted a physician in a Canadian poison center who was internationally known for his research and experience in treating iron poisonings. He contributed to Tedd’s care by providing essential treatment advice.
Thanks to the expert care given by hospital and poison center staff, Tedd recovered and is doing well today.
Unfortunately that same year, 40 children in the U.S. died from iron poisoning. Poison centers were instrumental in the passage of legislation that mandated the repackaging of iron-containing tablets into difficult-to-open blister packs containing fewer tablets. This has undoubtedly saved countless lives, as the incidence of serious iron poisonings immediately dropped after these safety measures were initiated.
Tedd’s story illustrates the fact that poison centers save lives. Nebraska Regional Poison Center’s nationally certified registered nurses and physicians provide immediate advice to families regarding poisonings, and they also guide the care of patients in the hospital. In addition, poison centers help prevent poisonings through public education and safety efforts.