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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/03/04 - Board of Health MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 The Board of Health was called to order at 1:40 p.m. by Chairperson Laura E. Porter. ATTENDANCE: Laura Porter, Chairperson William O. Hunter, Board Member Michael D. Gibson, Board Member J. Joanne Hoover, M.D., Health Officer Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor Mike Byrne, General Services Director Tammy Hupp, Health Educator John Getty, Environmental Health Specialist John Denison, Environmental Health Specialist APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Board held approval of the January and February minutes until later. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SUDAFED CAPS UPDATE John Getty, Environmental Health Specialist, informed the Board that all Counties are asked to have the Sudafed caps removed from their shelves. Someone is tampering and putting cyanide in them. He informed the Board that the Environmental Health staff may have to go back and check stores to verify they are removed. The Sudafed caps tampering has only happened in the state of Washington. Board Member Hunter asked that they follow up with a telephone call. John Denison,Environmental Health Specialist,stated that he was at a store at the intersection of Highway 106 and he physically made sure they were off the shelf. Mr. Getty commented that right now they have no idea of what is happening. There are incidents which have occurred in Pierce County, Lacey, and Thurston County. Board Member Gibson suggested the County contact the State to express dissatisfaction about the notification process. Before it came out on the television the County should have received notification from the State. Board Member Gibson asked Dr. Hoover to draft a letter expressing the County's dissatisfaction. Board Member Hunter thanked the staff for their quick response. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded the Board of Health send a letter to the State Department of Health regarding lack of communication in this situation. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 2 NURSING DIVISION AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE & HIRE 1. HIV/AIDS OUTREACH WORKER Tammy Hupp,Health Educator, informed the Board there is a $10,250 grant available through the Region 6 HIV/AIDS. She stated that she would like to hire a high risk outreach worker. The money has to be spent by June 30, 1991. The program will establish high risk populations and facilitate in the Health Department. The outreach worker would work in the jail, bars and taverns. The Tavern Association is in favor of distributing condoms and literature. The position would also work with law enforcement in both the city & county. The City of Shelton is favorable. This position would also help with the Indian tribes. Ms. Hupp commented that there is an incredible increase in HIV in the native population. The grant would help with education, testing and counseling. The full time position would be paid $10.00/hour plus benefits, supplies and transportation until June 30, 1991. Board Member Gibson asked if the program would cease at June 30, 1991. Ms. Hupp responded, yes. However, just being able to have worked with the high risk population for a couple of months is better than what they are getting at this point. It would take just a short period of time to be hooked up with the Health Department. She noted that the State found some extra monies that has to be spent by June, 1991. It could possibly be left over for the next biennium to continue the program. There is an individual living in Snohomish County who is presently working in rural areas. He has had two different grants that ran out in a short period of time. He is interested in this position and doesn't mind the 3 - 4 month commitment. He feels that he could go on and find something else. Ms.Hupp stressed that dealing with rural areas is different than providing outreach on the street. Board Member Gibson asked what counties have outreach workers. Ms. Hupp responded that Thurston County, Lewis county, Longview/Kelso, Clark County, Grays Harbor and Clallam Counties have workers. Board Member Gibson asked if these are all within Region 6. Ms. Hupp stated that they are. She added that the high risk population needs have not been met. There has had to be priorities made. Board Member Gibson stated that if the Board felt they wanted to accept the grant funding it would be appropriate to call for a public hearing to extend the budget. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 3 Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor, stated that she had not planned to request a budget extension at this time. Board Member Gibson asked if they were looking for a hearing the end of March or first of April. Board Member Gibson asked if money is available for other things than salary. Ms. Hupp responded that the grant is to provide money for salaries, supplies, travel and benefits. The salary of $10,200 is for four months. The Board questioned if unexpended money is sent back. Chairperson Porter asked the Board what actions they feel are appropriate. A motion recommending the Board of County Commissioners budget extension and hiring is in order. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to concur with the HIV/AIDS outreach worker program and recommend the Board of County Commissioners advertise and hire for an outreach worker. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Board Member Hunter questioned if the County has to apply for the grant. Ms. Hupp stated, no, the County has already received it. Board Member Hunter/Gibson moved and seconded to recommend the Board of County Commissioners set a public hearing to extend the budget. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. 2. HIV/AIDS HEALTH EDUCATOR/COORDINATOR/WELLNESS & SAFETY COORDINATOR Sharon Bisser, Nursing Supervisor, informed the Board that Tammy Hupp is in need of a job status change. She would like to continue the coordination of the Health Wellness Program. She has accepted a part-time position with the Mason County Cooperative Extension office as of March 4, 1991. She would like her current position reduced to 16 - 18 hours per week. After the transition from her current position to the Cooperative Extension she will be increasing her hours there. Ms. Bisser noted that there is enough money in the budget for a full-time person plus pay for Ms. Hupp. The Health Department is looking at the middle of April to fill the outreach worker position. There are also 2 - 3 members of the advisory committee sitting in on the interview board. Tammy will continue and serve on the interview board. Board Member Hunter/Gibson moved and seconded to recommend the Board of County Commissioners advertise and hire a HIV/AIDS Health Educator/Coordinator/Wellness&Safety Coordinator. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 4 Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to authorize hiring a HIV/AIDS outreach worker. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to concur with Ms. Hupp's request for job status change to continue as the Health Wellness/Safety Coordinator in cooperation with her new job, as recommended by the Nursing Supervisor. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H- aye; P-aye The position in the Cooperative Extension office is 24 hours a week. Ms. Hupp will continue in her current position until someone else fills it. Ms. Hupp noted that she would continue with the HIV/AIDS program until somebody is hired and trained. 3. RURAL HEALTH GRANT Ms. Bisser commented that Mason General Hospital cannot handle the Rural Health Grant any differently than the County can. As far as she can tell the County is the appropriate agency to handle the grant. She requested authorization to advertise for a consultant for the Rural Health Grant. This is not a grant that the Health Department has gone after. Board Member Hunter asked what the grant amount is and what is the length of the grant. Ms. Bisser responded that they must spend the $8,300 grant by June 30. It was specific to hire a consultant to do background work regarding how a voucher system might work. Chairperson Porter asked if the grant will pay for the consultant to finalize the grant. Ms. Bisser noted that the consultant to be hired would take the rough edges off and make it more complete. It is strictly on a consultant basis. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to recommend the Board of County Commissioners authorize the Health Services - Nursing Division to hire a consultant for the Rural Health Grant application. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to recommend the Board of County Commissioners set a public hearing for extension of the budget due to unanticipated revenues. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Chairperson Porter stated that the County does in good faith advertise for the process of selecting the consultant. TRAVEL REQUESTS 1. Nursing Director's/Health Officials Meeting - March 7 & 8 - Olympia. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 5 Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded there are no objections to the travel request. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Ms. Bisser interjected that Dr. Hoover will not be going this time. 2. Infant & Early Childhood Conference - April 29 & 30 - Seattle. Ms. Bisser added that Diane Crabtree is scheduled to attend the conference which is being funded by the School District. Board Member Hunter/Gibson moved and seconded there are no objections to the travel request. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. CONSOLIDATED CONTRACT The Board was presented with the 1991 Consolidated Contract for services provided by the County and consolidated by the State. Ms. Bisser recommended the Board authorize the Health Officer to sign the contract. Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded that Dr. Hoover be authorize to sign the Consolidated Contract for 1991. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Ms. Bisser noted that there is a small increase over 1990's contract by $2,202. BUDGET EXTENSION Ms. Bisser asked what is necessary to extend the Health Services - Nursing Division budget by $20,552. This will accommodate additional funding received from the consolidated contract, Health Consultant and the outreach worker. Chairperson Porter referred her to Ione Siegler, Budget Director to work out the details. CITY/COUNTY SERVICES Ms. Bisser announced that they have not completed the statistics on the city vs. county services provided by the Nursing Division. Board Member Gibson suggested they wait till next month with the information. DR. HOOVER Dr. Hoover informed the Board that she has been invited to participate in a workshop on smoking, Wednesday - Friday, which is sponsored by the Association of CDC and National Association of County Health Officials. There are two people from the State and two other individuals asked to participate; herself and a Bremerton doctor. Nationally, there were eight slots for invited people. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Hoover were invited from Washington. She advised the Board that she would have back up for the staff for questions in her absence. PERTUSSIS UPDATE The Board was informed that there has been an instance of a 2 year old with whooping cough, pertussis. The child was sick for approximately 2 weeks. The family has a message phone;Post Office box for an address. The child was sick for two weeks as well as an older brother. Both had the same symptoms. The 2 year old was diagnosed. The mother had a baby the day before. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 6 and she had just been home for an hour. The mother is off to Seattle and the rest of the family is there. It took a lot of time to check this out. The noted that Whooping Cough is life threatening to children. Erythromycin was contraindicated in the child for this age. They already had an hour of exposure to this. It took quite a bit of time. The Department called into Children's and they hooked them up to some other one. The immediate family is on erythromycin. They found out that the doctor's office has a list of people in the waiting room. The child had gone from the lab and OB ward to visit the mother. The Nursing Division is in the process of tracking everyone down and offering them erythromycin. It was noted that the family tends to be isolationist. They don't have any running water and have four children under the age of 3. TOBACCO RESOLUTION The State Board of Health is looking for local government support of a tobacco resolution. Board Member Gibson interjected that the Commissioners have already received a copy of the resolution. He questioned if the staff is supporting this resolution. Ms. Bisser responded, yes. Board Member Gibson noted that the Board will take the recommendation under advisement. JAIL HEALTH UPDATE Ms. Bisser stated that she has received a verbal agreement with Dr. Jaques, retired from WCC, and Dr. Penoyar to provide the physician coverages for sick call to the jail. Last week they started advertising for health care. Dr. Hoover noted they will be meeting next Monday afternoon late with Dr. Jaques and Dr. Penoyar and the Sheriff personnel. The estimated cost is more than it is costing right now. A good portion will be in savings in their pharmacy bills. Both Tom Robinson and Bob Shepherd are aware of this. Board Member Gibson questioned how much the Sheriff's Department pays the Health Department for this service. Ms. Bisser responded, $15,000 a year. Ms. Bisser added that they could save money by putting a nurse on as part time employee under the Sheriff's Department. They would be under the WCRP insurance. Board Member Hunter noted that the Sheriff's staff is civil service. He didn't think it sounded possible to put the nurses on their staff. Chairperson Porter stated that this is something the Board of County Commissioners can consider. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY Chairperson Porter noted that she received a letter back from the State indicating that the proposed policy only needed minor changes to comply with State regulations. The points which MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MARCH 4, 1991 - PAGE 7 she was confused about they also had to reread several times. When she called to discuss it with the State she mentioned that the new Health Services Director will edit the final draft. Board Member Hunter concurred that that sounded good to him as well. Board Member Gibson stated that it would be put on hold until the Health Services Director position is filled. HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR Chairperson Porter noted that she has a packet of applications for the Health Services Director. She asked that Dr. Hoover review the applicants and come up with a list of ten recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners. The Board is anticipating to meet at 1:30 p.m. next Monday. ADJOURNED Board Member Gibson/Hunter moved and seconded to adjourn at 3:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. G-aye; H-aye; P-aye. Respectfully Submitted, Rebecca S. Rogers Clerk of the Board MASON COUNTY HEALTH BOARD Lau a E. Porter, Cha' erso Michael D. Gibson, Board Memb r William O. Hunter, Board Member