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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-1998 Board of Health MinutesBOARD OF HEALTH MEETING THURSDAY MARCH 12, 1998 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors of the Plainview -Hale County Health Department was called to order by Vice Chairman John Peck at approximately 12:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 12, 1998, at Plainview Country Club. Those attending were: John Peck, Larry Dickerson, Earl Brown, Cinde Ebeling, Dr.Michael Hinze, Sally Meeks, Dr. Kit Linton, Dr. Stephen Turner, Mike Hutcherson, Benny Cantwell, Dr. Ron Milier, Earle Mc Donough, John Castro, Cezar Cervantez and Mayor Lloyd Woods. Also present were: Jack Mc Casland, Environmental Health Inspector, Ruby Riggins, L.V.N. and the secretary, Billie Standefer. Vice Chairman John Peck Called the meeting to order and asked Mayor Lloyd to lead the group in prayer. After corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting, and the expenditures were voted payment approval, the Vice Chairman asked for Dr.Turner's report. Dr. Turner shared the following: (1) A lot of Flu was reported in the month of January. (2) There had been an outbreak of Fifth Disease in the community and the schools. (3) Tuberculosis continues at a steady pace. (4) A few cases of Salmonellosis and Shigellosis were reported. (5) Because of a short supply of Immune Globulin, Texas Depart- ment of Health was using and recommending;Tetnus Globulin for Hepatitis A. (6) Reported S.T.D.'s had been more quiet as of late. At this point, Dr. Linton joined the group and took charge of the meeting. She asked for Mr. Castro's report. Castro gave the following report: (1) As a member of T A L H 0, (TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS) he would be attendling a meeting in Austin set to study "how to respond to disaster". He stated the City did not have personnel to do this, and it would be the Health Department's responsibility in case of a disaster. (2) It had been decided, in the problem of Hepatitis B, and recommended by 0 S H A,that all employees who have a potential to exposure to Hepatitis B receive a series of Hepatitis B Vaccine. This would include all Police, Sheriff's staff, County Jail employees, etc. These departments would purchase the vaccine and the Health Department would administer it. Dr. Turner stated it was a serious matter to insist the employees who start the series of three vaccinations finish the series. It was determined an employee could not be made to finish the series unless a requirement for this was written into the City Policy. Cezar Cervantez, Nursing Administrator for the Department, recogn- ized'Ruby Riggins, L.V.N., for five years of service to the Depart- ment, and presented her a five year pin. He also recognized Billie Standefer, clerk at the Department,for ten years service. Chairman Linton asked for a discussion of the concerns about Immune Globulin. Mr. Castro stated his concern was having the responsibility of all who had H M 0 plans, out of county patients, Medicaid patients and others come into the Health Department for Immune Globulin. He explained the State pays only for indigents and the I.G. was very expensive. He stated it was very impractical. -.`He said he felt the individual should go to their Primary care giver first, and if the Primary source could not provide the service, the Health Department would. Dr. Turner, addressing Mr. Castro, stated he felt "we need to get the issue at hand in prespective." In the past, he stated, when a patient was in the Doctor's office and diagnosed with Hepatitis, the Doctor would report this to the Health Department, and the Health Department, in turn, would get all the patient's information and do the follow-up investigation. He said the Department was in a better position to do this because it had the resources to do so. He cited this had always been a Core Public Health function. He gave price comparisons, and said, at most, it would cost '$ 300.00 per year for the Department to keep the service. Mr. Castro restated he felt the Immune Globulin should be administer- ed by the Primary Health Provider, with the Department helping to acquire the I.G. He explained he did not advocate turning the entire procedure over to the Doctor's offices. Dr. Turner reiterated the procedure was at very little cost to the Health Department. He stated he had called Texas Department of Health in Austin, and they preferred sending the I.G. to the Health Department because the Department knew how to handle it. He said the process of having the Health Department handle this service has been "disrupted", and he felt it had accomplished nothing. Mr. Castro stated, in a case of an "outbreak", it would cost "big bucks" to supply and administer I.G. He said he felt the Health Department was not obligated to provide the service, unless no other source was available. Dr. Turner stated this was Mr. Castro's "interpretation",but he felt the Board has obligated the Department to provide the service. He stated the Department had the manpower to do the research, some- one to control the restaurants and he felt it would be the best policy for this service to remain a Public Health function. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Linton expressed having the people go to the Health Department would be less expensive than having them go to the Doctor's office for the service. Mr. Peck suggested presenting to the Board at its next meeting, a draft of a letter explaining to the individual they could go to their Doctor or go to the Department. Mr. Cervantez explained the figures he presented to the Board were for Flu and Pneumonia shots given at the Department in 1997- 1998 Flu season. The total, he said, was approximately $ 12,000.00. Mr. Castro explained the City's budget divisions for the revenue, and said 52% of this goes back to the City/County - Immunizations, while 48% goes back to City/County to off set their expense. In new business, Dr. Linton shared Dr. Wilson, of Hale Center Hi - Plains Hospital, had been appointed to the Childrens' Health Service Program for the State. Mr. Cervantez stated the Department had gone to Hale Center Schools and had given approximately 800 immunizations to students in two seperate clinics. He explained the Department had participated in two Health Fairs; one at Wal-Mart and one at First United Methodist Church. Mr. Cervantez thanked the Board for their support while he was with the Department and informed members of his resignation. He stated he would like to continue on the Board of Health, if possible. Dr. Hinze shared hand-outs of information on smoking and tobacco Mr. Castro said the Texas Department of Health was planning a Public Health Program against smoking, and explained tobacco companies could not go into a town and influence a fight against the program. An excused absence was given Board member Margaret Kay. There was no other business. Billie Standefer Secretary The meeting was adjourned.