Poison Control Centers Urge Georouting Hotline Calls

FCC efforts to have 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls georouted to the crisis call center closest to the caller's location should be replicated for calls to the national toll-free poison control number, America’s Poison Centers (APC) said. In a docket 18-336 posting Friday, APC said routing calls to a poison control center based on area code, not physical location of the caller, can have "adverse and potentially life-threatening consequences." Poison control center specialists are experts in the poisonous plants and animals of their region and can provide tailored support, said the association, which represents 54 accredited poison control centers in the U.S. FCC commissioners will vote at their open meeting Thursday on a proposed 988 georouting requirement (see 2409250041).