MTPC received accreditation from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) in 1996. This past weekend the accreditation was reviewed again (AAPCC accreditation is reviewed every 5 years). Accreditation establishes the standard of care by which a poison center must function to remain certified as an AAPCC accredited center. Requirements which frequently differentiate accredited from non-accredited centers are:
1) 24 hour 7 day a week service
2) All pharmacists and nurses answering the telephone hotlines are certified as poison specialists (this requires a RN or PharmD degree, one year of experience, and passing a certifying exam)
3) 24 hour availability of a Board-certified medical toxicologist
4) Education and outreach requirements for the community, the schools, and health professionals