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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/1989 BOH Minutes e~", The New Hanover County Board of Health met on Wednesday, March 1, 1989, at 8:22 A.M. at the Health Department. It was preceded by the New Hanover County Health Department Home Health Advisory Board meeting. Members Present: John Leonard, DVM, Chairman Don Blake Pascal Camak, DDS Albert Corbett Michael Goins, OD Julius Howard Amaryllis Rehder Sheram Robinson Marlene Rosenkoetter, PhD Alan Thomas, MD Catherine Vangellow Members Absent: Others Present: Robert S. Parker, Health Director Frances F. De Vane, Recording Secretary Dr. Leonard called the meeting to order at 8:22 A.M. Ms. Rehder presented the invocation. Dr. Leonard called for corrections to the minutes of February 1, 1989. Dr. Rosenkoetter moved and it was seconded that the minutes be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Department Focal: Community Water Systems Surveillance Ms. Dianne Harvell, Environmental Health Director, presented to the Board a program on the Community Water Systems Surveillance Program in New Hanover County. She defined community, non-community and non-transient water systems and the New Hanover County Health Department Monitoring Program of the Environmental Health Division. Water samples are tested for bacteriological analysis on a quarterly basis by the field staff of the Environmental Division of the health department. Ms. Susan O'Brien, Laboratory Director, developed a Bacteriological Water Analysis Form for Sampling Survey. Total water samples for bacteriological analysis for 1988 were 525 with 28 positive samples. Ms .Harvell explained that water system operators are notified of these positive results and corrective measures are taken to elevate the positive samples. Mr. Blake expressed that the health department's monitoring and follow-up of bacteriological water samples is beneficial to the citizens of New Hanover County. Special Briefinq: Adult Health Services Section Dr. Georjean Stoodt, Chief, Adult Health Section, Division of Health Services, presented an overview of the State's Adult Health Services Section and distributed a booklet explaining -,-..~ available services. She introduced Ms. Annie Hayes, Nursing Consultant, and Ms. Dara Murphy, Program Coordinator, of the Adult Health Services Section, Division of Health Services. Dr. Stoodt discussed the three leading causes of death and the Adult Health Section's goal of Preventing the Preventable." .... - Committee Reports: Budget Committee Ms. Lynda Smith, Assistant Health Director, reported that the FY89-90 Budget for the Health Department has been reviewed and will be submitted to Mr. Felix Cooper, County Manager, for his review and recommendations. Dr. Camak, Chairman, Budget Committee, will meet with the Budget Committee after the completion of Mr. Cooper's recommendations. The Budget Committee will present the FY89-90 Budget at the April Board of Health meeting. Environmental Health Committee: Dr. Thomas, Chairman, Environmental Health Committee, reported that the Environmental Health Committee met at 7: 00 A.M. on February 20, 1989. He stated the committee will need additional time to study the draft of recommendations for the revision of New Hanover County Well Regulations Governing Water Supply Wells. .. Health Promotions Committee: - Dr. Rosenkoetter, Chairman, stated that the Health Promotions Committee met at 7:00 P.M. on February 20, 1989, and recommends the endorsement and implementation of four Health Promotion initiatives: fencing of private pools, curtailing of New Hanover County Smoking Ordinance exemptions, feasibility of legislation for Smoking Ordinance regulating state buildings and vehicles, and endorsement of Feet First, First Time Program. Fencing Private Pools Mr. Parker stated there is a regulation in New Hanover county requiring the fencing of all public pools. This does not govern private pools. Dr. Rosenkoet ter moved and it was seconded that the Board of Health endorse the fencing of all new private pools in New Hanover County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Memo to county Commissioners - Smokinq Ordinance Dr. Leonard stated that the County Commissioners are to be commended for passing the New Hanover County Smoking Ordinance. Mr. Parker expressed concern over the number of exemptions which have been made to the ordinance. __ .-- Dr. Rosenkoetter moved and it was seconded that on behalf of the Board of Health that Dr. Leonard prepare a letter to the County Commissioners requesting that no additional exemptions should be allowed to the New Hanover County Smoking Ordinance and that already established smoking areas be vented directly to the outside of the buildings. Memo to Representative Payne The feasibility of Representative Payne researching the possibility of a State Smoking Ordinance, submitting legislation for a smoking ordinance and returning to the Board of Health with a report on this project was discussed. Dr. Rosenkoetter moved and it was seconded that on behalf of the Board of Health that Dr. Leonard prepare a letter to Representative Harry Payne requesting that he research the feasibility for a Smoking Ordinance for state government buildings and vehicles, introduce this legislation to the North Carolina General Assembly or present a report back to the Board of Health at a regular Board of Health meeting if this legislation is not presented and passed. Upon vote, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Feet First, First Time Mr. Parker explained the Feet First, First Time Program which is a program to prevent diving related spinal injuries by convincing swimmers to jump into bodies of water feet first the first time, to make sure the water depth is sufficient to allow safe diving. Dr. Rosenkoetter moved and it was seconded that the Board of Health endorse the implementation of the Health Promotion Feet First, First Time Program. Upon vote, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Personnel Committee: Mr. Blake, Personnel Committee, reported that the Personnel Committee met at 7:30 A.M. on March 1, 1989, and recommends the reallocation of the Nursing Director salary to fund and establish (2) Clerk-Typist Ill's and (1) Health Educator I (60%). Mr. Blake moved that the Board of Health approve the recommendation for the reallocation of the funds of the Nursing Director salary to establish and fund the following positions: Medical Records Clerk III (MCC) Clerk Typist III (ADM) Health Educator I (60%) Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1 Q,A Mr. Parker explained the other 40% of the Health Educator's salary will be funded by Home Health. The Health Educator will work in Injury Prevention and Home Health. Mr. Parker designated Ms. Betty Creech, Nursing Supervisor, in charge of nursing contractual agreements for the health department as they relate to the Department of Nursing at UNCW. Dr. Thomas expressed concern regarding the excessive amount of paperwork involved in the processing of home health medical records. Mr. Parker informed the Board that he plans to take two stacks of Medicare bills to Congressman Rose: one stack will be hospital bills and the other will be Home Health bills. Both will represent $30,000 in medical bills. Congressman Rose will have the opportunity to compare the quantity of paperwork for Home Health with regular hospital billings. Excessive paperwork is a problem the National Association for Home Care plans to present to Congress. New Business: Tri-County Dental Society Proposes HIV Dental Clinic for Health Department Dr. Camak reported that Dr. Ryan Stanley, President of the Tri-County Dental Society, presented a proposal for the dental care of HIV positive patients to the Southeastern North Carolina AIDS Task Force meeting on February 6, 1989. The Tri-County Dental Society proposed that the New Hanover County Dental Operatory be used as a clinic to treat and provide dental care to all HIV and AIDs positive persons in New Hanover county and surrounding areas. Dr. Camak, representing the Dental Society, stated that after researching the cost for infection control practices and the treatment of HIV patients that the Society recommends that the state and local health department clinic should redirect its focus from prevention to dental care of HIV infected persons. Dr. Camak recommended that Dr. David McDaniel perform these services. He expressed that he felt the Dental Clinic equipment was presently underuti1ized. Dr. Camak reported that the Dental Society had done a lot of soul searching. He stated that the Board of Health could be the first in the state to endorse the Proposal for a HIV Dental Clinic in the Health Department. Dr. Leonard stated that a letter was sent along with the proposal to Dr. Brownfield, Assistant Dental Section Chief, Division of Health Services, to determine if the Division is interested in providing this service. Mr. Blake expressed his concerns regarding the need for an additional dentist for this service, the present busy schedule of the Dental Clinic, designating Dr. McDaniel as the HIV / AIDS dentist and the costs involved in this proposal. Mr. Blake stated that he would like to go on record as feeling the Board .... - .. - - - c! has a moral responsibility to Dr. McDaniel and the present Dental Program. Dr. McDaniel made a presentation to the Board of Health on the history, goals and objectives of the Dental Program of the New Hanover County Health Department. The Dental Program is a mandated cooperative program with the state and county that serves New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. It focuses on prevention and education and provides dental care with 60% clinical time. Clinical services are provided for indigent children. Last year 13,000 children were screened and referred to private dentists. It was the consensus of the Board to delay action on the Tri-County Dental Society Proposal until a response was received from the state. Animal Welfare Act Mr. Ron Currie, Animal Control Director, distributed copies of the final report of the Legislative Research Commission on the Animal Welfare Act which is to be presented to the 1989 General Assembly. He explained some of the probable changes in the Animal Control Program if this law goes into effect. Dr. Rosenkoetter expressed that she felt the Board of Health should support and endorse the Animal Control Act. Dr. Leonard requested that the Board members review their copies of the Animal Control Act. Unfinished Business: Ferret Legislation Update: Mr. Parker reported that he had met with the New Hanover County legislators on February 27, 1989, regarding the introduction of legislation in the 1989 North Carolina General Assembly which would prohibit the sale, distribution or possession of ferrets in our state. Mr. Parker stated that if Representatives Hall and Payne introduce this legislation in the House that Senator Block plans to introduce the legislation in the Senate. Board members were requested to call Representatives Hall and Payne and support this legislation. Mr. Parker thanked Dr. Rosenkoetter for the preparation of her letters to New Hanover County legislators supporting the introduction of the ferret legislation. Board Members Comments: Health Director Comments: Mr. Parker and Tom Stich, Environmental Health Supervisor, were denied entry into the Kitchen Restaurant on February 6, 1989. A court date before Judge Barefoot is set for March 13, 1989. ...... r" r' --'-' \;- Mr. Parker introduced Ann Coordinator. Ms. Lawrence through Friday. Lawrence, Public Health Nurse, HIV stated that HIV testing is Monday .... - Mr. Parker reported that 34 health department employees contributed to the New Hanover County Bloodmobile Drive. The health department had the highest number of donors in the county. Mr. Parker welcomed and introduced new employees: Zebora Farrow, Clerk Typist III, Laboratory Nancy Lane, Medical Lab Technologist, Laboratory Jeanne Griffin, Public Health Nurse, Adult Health Mr. Parker thanked Dr. Georjean Stoodt for her presentation to the Board of Health. Dr. Stoodt commended Mr. Parker for his contributions to Public Health and thanked the Board of Health for their support of Mr. Parker in his public health endeavors. Mr. Corbett stated that he had attended an excellent Drug Forum which is the first of several forums. Ms. Vangellow commended Ms. Avery Rollinson, Public Health Nurse, and Mr. Tom Stich, Environmental Health Supervisor, for their informative presentation to the North Carolina Commission for Health Services on the Health Department Lead Program on .... February 23, 1989. - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:22 A.M. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Dr. John Leonard Chairman, Board of Health ~~9~ Robert S. Parker Secretary to the Board Approved: - -