The Alabama Poison Information Center (APIC) released its annual report, highlighting the leadership and continued collaboration of the UAB medical toxicology group and Children’s of Alabama. The APIC remains the only accredited statewide poison center designated by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). The APIC aims to provide free and confidential lifesaving information from licensed nurses and pharmacists around the clock. Medical backup is provided by UAB physicians Sukhshant Atti, M.D., William Rushton, M.D., and Stacy Marshall, M.D.
The previous year marked a time of significant change yet immense growth for the APIC. Longtime director Ann Slattery retired after 41 years, prompting the hiring of Jessica Pescatore as the new clinical director and LaDonna Gaines's transition to the administrative director position. Additionally, the APIC welcomed its first Pitts Blue Cross Blue Shield clinical toxicology fellow, Tiana Patriarca, Pharm.D.
Throughout 2024, the APIC received 50,684 incoming calls, resulting in 36,200 cases. Although the center is based at Children’s of Alabama, it is accessible to the entire state. During the previous year, calls were received for patients ranging from 2 days old to 100 years old, emphasizing the center's commitment to serving all patients regardless of age. In addition, the APIC participated in countless hours of community health events, providing potentially life saving information to Alabamians. In collaboration with the Healthy Child Care Alabama program, the APIC provided poison prevention programs and distributed poison prevention items to parents in all Alabama counties. More than 30 physicians, pharmacists, and senior medical students from around the state trained at APIC in 2024.
The year 2024 was a milestone for the center, marked by remarkable growth and significant advancements in research. UAB medical toxicology and APIC published influential work on a variety of topics impacting public health both regionally and nationally. These included the toxicity of GLP-1 antagonists, advances in antivenom treatments, antidote stewardship, and the establishment of the nation’s first dedicated snakebite clinic.
Acknowledging the vital role poison centers play in public health, APIC’s leadership, in collaboration with Alabama's state medical officer Scott Harris, M.D., MPH, co-authored a brief report of their efforts to rapidly ban tianeptine, a dangerous over the counter supplement, in response to a statewide health crisis. This collaboration has garnered national recognition, especially following a recent study highlighting the success of the Alabama initiative.
In addition, the APIC shed light on other pertinent toxicology issues during 2024, keeping Alabamians adequately informed. National Poison Prevention Week marked an opportunity to share the importance of the APIC and the steps Alabamians can take to stay safe.
APIC’s medical director William Rushton, M.D., emphasized, “In 2024, APIC continued its legacy as a crucial leader in providing for the safety, treatment, education, and research for all residents of Alabama – such activities would not be possible without the crucial support from Children’s of Alabama and UAB’s Department of Emergency Medicine.”
The Alabama Poison Information Center takes calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Information provided by the APIC is free, confidential, and available to Alabamians of any age. You can reach informed poison professionals by calling 1-800-222-1222.