The Washington Poison Center is the only entity within the state that handles poison calls and performs syndromic surveillance on a real-time basis. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poison cases from around the state are assessed in real-time for any outbreaks, perceived threats or unusual activity.
In the event unusual activity or high risk poisonings occur (ex: chlorine gas release), the Washington Poison Center notifies public health officials to conduct an investigation and further assess the threat on public health.
Poison center cases can also be used to assess communal food poisoning due to poor conditions at restaurants and other establishments, or even assist in the investigation of shellfish poisonings in the warmer months around the beaches of Puget Sound and the Pacific Coast.