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Home My WebLink About08/11/1982 I I I 00910 The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, August 11, 1982 at the New Hanover County Health Department. Members Present: Carl Durham, Chairman Roma Lee Hall, Vice Chairman J. William Eakins, M.D. William Grathwol Larry Neal, D.D.S. James Strickland Members Absent: Donald Blake Hal A. Franklin, II, M.D. Hobart Whaley Others Present: James M. Brown, Secretary to the Board Ted Davis, County Attorney Mabel Price, Recording Secretary James McMahan, Consultant Mr. Durham, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 8:00 A. M. and called for corrections to the July 14, 1982 minutes. Mrs. Hall moved the minutes be approved. Mr. Grathwol seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Consultant Report: Mr. McMahan, Consultant, who had acted as Assistant Health Director while Mr. Brown was on vacation, gave a brief report on activities in the department during the past month: Environmental Health - hired a new Sanitarian, placed an exhibit at Independence Mall during Environmental Health Week. Animal Control - has been made aware of a new lease law at Carolina Beach, Animal Control Supervisor has contacted Carolina Beach police department to coordinate efforts. Nutrition - has a new WIC Director. Insect and Rodent - bids for trucks have been advertised. Epidemiology - has had article in Newspaper on Venereal Disease. Nurs- ing - has had several TV spots during the month. Dental - expanding to school sys- tems in surrounding counties with educational program. Laboratory - has done an extensive study for the fee policy committee in addition to a very heavy schedule. Health Education - has completed training program for teachers who will be teaching the risks of using alcohol and tobacco in the schools. Mr. McMahan's final written report for the contract period ending August 13, 1982 had been distributed to the Board. Mr. McMahan gave some highlights from the report: Administrative Officer - the job description should be put into final form for pre- sentation to the Board in September. He recommended that we work with Eastern Regional Personnel Office and the County Personnel Office in finalizing the description. Home Health Program - one write system has been installed. Cost report - format for gather- ing information for cost report has been completed. Mr. McMahan recommends outside help in making the cost report as the new forms are very complicated. Fee Policy - still working on this. Mr. McMahan presented some priorities for the department as he sees them: 1) Hiring an Environmental Health Division Chief. 2) preparation of Home Health Cost Report. 3) Fee collection system design and installation. 4) Renovation of Health Department building. 5) Comparison study for new telephone system. 6) Long range planning. 7) Internal Monthly Report for Home Health. Mr. Durham stated that he would like to assure that the recommendations of this report are carried out. He asked that Mr. Brown compile a "do list" from the report and work with Mr. Strickland to accomplish these goals in a reasonable period of time. 00.9;(;' I· ¡ Fee Committee Report: Pro Neal presented a Fee Policy from the Committee for adoption by the Board of Health. Dr. Neal moved the policy be adopted. Dr. Eakins seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. The policy is as follows: FEE POLICY GOALS/PHILOSOPHY I A. Give Free Medical Care to Indigent B. People Who Can Pay (for medical services) Should Pay Rates for Services C. Non-medical Services: People Getting Select Services (e.g. Animal Control, Environmental) Need to be Charged Fees D. Some Health Department Areas ought to be as Nearly Financially Self Sufficient as Possible. A GOAL FOR RECONSIDERATION: TO GENERATE FUNDS TO ADEQUATELY MEET THE GOALS OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES: 1. Set Fees at Reasonable Prevailing Rate 2. Sliding Fee Scale System will be used with Income Declaration 3. Try to Charge and Collect at the Door if possible ? 4. Bill Only if Necessary (to uninsured patients) Bill Medicaid and Third Parties if Necessary 5. Take Phase-in Approach by Program, Beginning with: I a. Chronic Disease b. Laboratory C. X-Ray, for Non-TB Program Patients Septic Tank Committee: Mr. Grathwol reported that the State's new Ordinance which became effective July 1, 1982, was received two weeks ago, that his committee has met, but there are no recommendations at this time. Seafood and Shellfish Ordinance: Dr. Neal reported that the Seafood and Shellfish Ordinance is ready for the County Attorney to review and after one more public hearing will be presented to the Board for adoption. Water Sampling: There was no report from this Committee. Mr. Durham appointed Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Chief, as a member of this Committee. Committee/Ordinance Schedule: Mr. Durham asked members of the various Committees to update their schedule for completing ordinances. The updated schedule will be distributed to the Board. Abatement of Threats to Public Health: Ted Davis reported that he has discussed this law with the County Commissioners regarding its implementation in New Hanover. He I told the Board that the Commissioners want the Building Inspector to be involved in this and that he is working with him. He is also working with the city looking at procedures for implementation and will share with the Board of Health later. I I I 00:912 Maternal Child Health (Perinatal Program) Report: Marian Duggins, Nursing Chief, gave a report on the Maternal Child Health Program in general and the Perinatal Program in specific. She reported on the goals, objectives and accomplishments of this program. Extension of Consulting Agreement: Nancy Lane of Planning & Design Associates presented a one-month contract for the period of August 16, through September 10, 1982 to: 1) Prepare the Cost Report for Home Health. 2) Continue to develop the fee collection program in order to speed the time of installation. 3) To provide on-going technical assistance to Personal Health staff assigned to the Home Health bookkeeping system. 4) To complete development of the job description for Adminis- trative Officer, negotiating approval through State and County personnel offices. 5) To offer alternatives for long range and strategic planning for consideration by administrative staff and Board. During the discussion it was pointed out that approximately half the cost will be written off in the Cost Report and the other half will speed up the production of fee income. Motion was made by Mrs. Hall to approve the contract. Dr. Neal seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Cost for the four week contract will be $6,486.32. Mr. Durham will present the contract to the County Commissioners for approval at their August 16,' 1982 meeting. Mr. Durham asked that Mr. Brown give recommendations on creating the Administrative Officer position and what is expected of such a position at the September meeting. Drainage: Dr. Eakins moved the Board ask the head of the Committee on Drainage for the County to meet with the Septic Tank Committee to give an update on their work and a member of the County Planning Department to give an update of sub- division ordinances. Mr. Grathwol seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Dr. Eakins was asked to coordinate the meeting and asked to notify the entire Board of Health so that anyone who wishes can attend. EEOC Charge of Discrimination: Ted Davis, Assistant to the County Attorney, reported that Judith Wynnemer, M. D., has charged the Department with discrimina- tion based on sex discrimination. Dr. Wynnemer had applied for a position as Family Nurse Practitioner Back-up. Dr. Eakins reported that everything had gone well during his tenure as Acting Director while Mr. Brown was on vacation. He thanked Jim McMahan who had served as Assistant Director and Consultant during that time for the good jQb done. Mr. Brown also thanked everyone for the good job while he was away. There being no further business, Dr. Eakins moved the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Grathwol seconded the motion and it carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 A. M. Respectfully submitted, ~t~ ~Y1~ Approved: