PORTLAND, Maine – U.S. Poison Centers save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a new independent study released by America’s Poison Centers. The report, conducted by the nonprofit research organization RAND, concludes that poison centers such as the Maine-based Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) provide substantial economic and societal benefits for communities across the country.
The RAND report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that for every $1 invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits. These cost savings reflect reduced emergency department use, shortened hospital stays, decreased mortality risk, enhanced public health surveillance and improved patient outcomes. The NNEPC responds to more than 33,000 cases in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont annually, providing expert support to families, individuals and health care providers in the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
However, the report finds that despite the demonstrated value of poison centers, their overall funding has decreased by 8 percent from 2011 to 2024 in real dollars. Amid rising healthcare costs, these budget cuts are an increasing threat to poison center operations. While the Maine Legislature generously increased funding to the NNEPC by $50,000 last year, MaineHealth continues to fill a $1.3 million annual gap between the amount of government funding the NNEPC receives and the cost of services it provides the public for free.
The report found that poison centers and their national infrastructure have significantly modernized over the last decade, expanding beyond traditional telephone calls to offer text and live chat services that better meet the changing needs of the public and the health care system.
“This study confirms the immediate care provided by our nurses, pharmacists and physicians improves health and saves money for our community,” said Karen Simone, PharmD, director of the NNEPC. “Our team helps patients and families manage minor poisonings at home and avoid the emergency department. We also work closely with other health care providers to ensure patients who do need to be treated in the hospital receive the best possible care.”
In addition to providing 24-hour guidance to the public and health care professionals in cases of potential poisoning, the NNEPC is a key part of Maine’s emergency preparedness system, supports the Maine Center for Disease Control’s public health monitoring and provides year-round educational programming aimed at preventing poisonings.
For additional information, or to read the full report, visit poisoncenters.org/national-impact-study. For fast, free, confidential help or questions regarding a possible poisoning, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, or visit www.nnepc.org.
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About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.