University of Texas Health – San Antonio
The South Texas Poison Center is committed to reducing the incidence, severity, and cost of poisonings through our 24-hour telephone hotline (1-800-222-1222), our education programs, and our free poisoning prevention and patient treatment information available to public callers and to healthcare providers.
The South Texas Poison Center (STPC) was created in 1995 as part of the Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN). The poison center serves the Texas Department of Health Public Health Regions 8 and 11 that encompass 47 counties with over 4.5 million people, covering approximately 53,000 square miles.
In addition, we serve the general public and healthcare professionals with:
- Poison information and recommendations
- Education about prevention and management
- Research to better understand the problems.
The South Texas Poison Center is staffed 24 hours a day with Specialists in Poison Information (SPI). These licensed, medical professionals are Nurses, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, and/or foreign-trained Physicians who work under guidance of the Medical Director. After intense training they must pass a national examination to achieve certification. Furthermore, many speak Spanish to accommodate our population.
The STPC recognizes that one of the most effective ways to reduce the severity of poisonings and poison exposure is through providing poisoning prevention education. The STPC covers the fastest growing regional population in the United States. The STPC has the primary responsibility for coordinating education material development, formal presentations to diverse organizations and schools, conducting health fairs, and providing media relations for all of South Texas.
Education Services
- Distribute education materials with the poison hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, and communicate the importance of poison prevention.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with other community agencies
- Conduct presentations and disseminate materials regionally
- Showcase exhibits at health fairs and other educational events
- Provide media consultation
- Provide culturally appropriate programs
- Coordinate training for regional community health workers
- Expand poison prevention education to schools
- Promote education to underserved populations
- Increase knowledge amongst Spanish speakers
Please contact us at 210-450-5100 for any poisoning prevention requests.
Connect with Us