Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) / Centre Anti-poison de l'Ontario

Contact Information:
Poison Control Centre Name: Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) / Centre Anti-poison de l'Ontario
Mailing Address: The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8
Emergency Telephone Number: 1-800-268-9017 (toll free in Ontario)
(416) 813-5900 (greater Toronto area)
Administrative Telephone Number: (416) 813-6437
Fax Number: (416) 813-7489
Website: www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca (english or french)
General Contact:
Administrative e-mail:		 poison.information@sickkids.ca
Administrative Contacts /
Program Leaders:		  
Managing Director Ms. Helen Edwards
Medical Director Dr. Margaret Thompson
Clinical Manager Ms. Anna Leah Desembrana
Advanced Nursing Practice Educator Ms. Heather Hudson
Executive Assistant Ms. Donna Tedesco
Technology and Information
Support Specialist		 Mr. Dino Bernabeo
Description:
Poison Control Centre Name: Ontario Poison Centre / Centre Anti-poison de l'Ontario
Province(s) Served: Ontario, Manitoba
Language(s) of Service: English and French. Interpreter services available for 168 other languages.
Professional Staff and Consultants: Our Specialists in Poison Information are also Registered Nurses and a Pharmacist with certification in toxicology from the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The majority of our Specialists have obtained their certification to date.
The Specialists are backed by 5 Medical Toxicologists certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties and one certified by the American Board of Medical Toxicology.
Services Provided:
Service: Ontario Poison Centre
Hours/days of Operation: 24 hours per day; 7 days per week
Description: The service is accessed by both the public and healthcare professionals for treatment advice regarding the exposed and potentially poisoned patient. If the exposed patient is a pregnant female the professionals at the Ontario Poison Centre will give real time advice for the treatment of the episode but will refer the patient and/or health care professional to Motherisk for long term risk assessment. The Ontario Poison Centre is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario. As such we cannot offer advice regarding exposed animals.
Contact Information: 1-800-268-9017 (toll free in Ontario)
(416) 813-5900 (greater Toronto area)
   
Poison Prevention / Public Education: Publications may be accessed from the website: www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca. Other materials are available by contacting poison.information@sickkids.ca. Public education programs are available on a select basis. Specific requests should be sent to poison.information@sickkids.ca or the administrative assistant at (416) 813-6437.
Education for Health Care Professionals: Limited opportunities exist for senior nursing and pharmacy students to observe the Ontario Poison Centre. Contact poison.information@sickkids.ca or the administrative assistant at (416) 813-6437. Limited one month electives for PGY4 and above physician trainees. See http://www.clinpharmtox.utoronto.ca/trainees/Postgraduate_electives.htm for a description and contacts. Limited opportunities also exist for specialized post-graduate training in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology with an emphasis on medical toxicology. See http://www.clinpharmtox.utoronto.ca/trainees/Postgraduate_Curriculum.htm for a description, application and requirements.