CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolinas Poison Control Center has launched a new feature that allows people to chat online with a nurse, doctor or pharmacist instead of making a phone call. The announcement comes just days before National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24.
You just visit the website and click on the "Chat" feature to get started. A medical professional will guide you on what course of action to take. The center said about seven out of 10 contacts are handled without the need for emergency care.
“We’re seeing people from 17-70 years old chatting with us,” said Rebecca Rembert, director of the center. “The ability to chat with one of our nurses or pharmacists provides a way for people to get the right help, at the right time, in the right setting. If we’re able to help people by chat who may not have called because of comfort level or convenience, or who may have shown up at the Emergency Room when they didn’t need to, that’s a win.”
The center said managing potential poisoning situations on the spot saves nearly 14 million dollars in unnecessary medical costs per year in North Carolina.
Funding for the new chat service was provided by the state of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Carolinas Poison Control Center can also be reached by phone: 1-800-222-1222.
