32.1-111.15 - Statewide poison control system established.
§ 32.1-111.15. Statewide poison control system established.
From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts,donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received, the Board ofHealth shall establish a statewide poison control system. The fundingmechanism for the system and its services shall be as provided in theappropriation act.
The Board shall establish poison control centers that meet nationalcertification standards promulgated by the American Association of PoisonControl Centers. If such national certification standards are eliminated, theBoard shall establish minimum standards for the designation and operation ofthese poison control centers. The poison control centers established by theBoard shall report to the Board by October 1 of each year regarding programoperations; expenditures; revenues, including in-kind contributions;financial status; future needs; and summaries of human poison exposure casesfor the most recent calendar year.
The statewide system shall provide, at a minimum, (i) consultation, by free,24-hour emergency telephone or other means of communication, to the publicand to health care practitioners regarding the ingestion or application ofsubstances, including determinations of emergency treatment, coordination ofreferrals to emergency treatment facilities, and provision of appropriateinformation to the staffs of such facilities; (ii) prevention education andinformation about poison control services; (iii) training for health carepractitioners in toxicology and medical management of poison exposure cases;and (iv) poison control surveillance through the collection and analysis ofdata from reported poison exposures to identify poisoning hazards, preventpoisonings, and improve treatment of poisoned patients.
(1996, c. 899.)