HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/11/07 - Board of HealthBOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
November 7, 2002
Chairperson Commissioner Bob Holter called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Attendance: Cmmr. Dist. 1,
Absent; Cmmr. Dist. 2, Wes Johnson; Cmmr. Dist. 3,Bob Holier.
ATTENDANCE
Dr Mark Trucksess, Health Officer
Steve Kutz, Department of Health Director
Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Director
Lydia Bucheit, Public Health Nurse
Nancy Plews, Clerk
Rebecca Wells, Mason County Journal, Reporter
CORRESPONDENCE
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT:
Dr. Trucksess, Health Officer reported the Communicable Disease report for October 2002 were one case of
Camphylobacter and one case of Positive PPD.
PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES
Steve Kutz reported to the Board that the Medicare reimbursement rate is currently $6.00 vaccine per our current
contract. Last year our order for the flu vaccine went in under a federal contract to lock in the price, but next year's
price is significantly higher. The Health Department is looking at possibly canceling the contract with Medicaid.
The Health Department would bill patients directly then process the paperwork for the patients. The Health
Department is required by contract to process Medicare paperwork. The patient would be partially reimbursed
directly by Medicare.
Cmmr Johnson questioned Mr. Kutz as to why the vaccine is taking such a high increase in price.
Steve Kutz informed the Board he believes it is because the manufactures were experiencing complications of
quality assurance and production which caused shortages. The manufactures have to put more resources into
producing the product to insure it gets to customers. Mr. Kutz also stated that in the past there wasn't a concern as
to the quantity that was ordered because 10% of the order could be returned that is no longer going to available to
the Health Department. Because what the department orders is a final order they are trying to spend more time prior
to the order to get accurate order numbers so there isn't a large leftover of vaccines.
Cmmr. Holter questioned if the leftover vaccines can be used in the following year.
Mr. Kutz said that it only once back in the late 80's did that occur, but the product did have to go back to the
manufacture and be re -certified.
Lydia Bucheit, Maternal Child Health Program Manager presented to the Board on the nurse family partnership.
This is a prevention and education project that was funded and began approximately a year ago. This new program
is a five county program and is designed to assist low-income children and families The program goals are to
improve pregnancy outcomes, promote child health and development and to promote maternal life course
development. The key program components are to serve first-time mothers, serve high risk families, intensive visit
BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
November 7, 2002 - PAGE 2
schedule from pregnancy to child age two, nurse home visitors and link the families with other services available.
There is a maximum caseload of 25 families per nurse. The program is focusing on personal health, environmental
health life course development, maternal role, and family and friend support system developed and teaches to locate
and use health and human services. Mason County's progress is currently 18 families are enrolled, three of them are
beginning the second year as the first enrolled families, and successful behavioral changes are being documented.
Some of the behavioral changes documented here in Mason County are healthy births, young mothers enrolling into
high schools, colleges and drug rehabilitation programs and successful job placements. The complete powerpoint
presentation is on file for the public at the Health Department.
ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Debbie Riley, Environmental Health Director reports that PSP is a concern because Thanksgiving is approaching
and many families go to the beach to harvest muscles, clams and oysters for their holiday meal. She requested that
Rebecca report this information in the Journal for the public to be aware. Debbie Riley will also post signs at public
beaches and on the hotline. The PSP is starting at North Bay and working its way south. This is a late season
bloom. Normally PSP is in June and July. The first signs of illness would be in a person's nervous system.
Geoduck and Butter Clams can hold PSP for up to a year. Testing is done regularly on these species.
ENVIROMENTAL HEALTH WAIVERS/VARIANCES
Submitted to the Board by Health Director, Steve Kutz.
ADJOURNED
The meeting adjourned due to no further business.
HEALTH OFFICER
k rucksess, Health Officer
BOARD OF HEALTH
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
�( na\f L d a.9Le,
Bob Holter, Chairperson •
Wesley Johns Commissioner
Herb Baze, Commissioner