HomeMy WebLinkAboutM022014JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MINUTES
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA 98368
Beard Members
Phil Johnson, County Conlmissloner District #i
David Sullivan, Chair, County Commissioner, District #2
John Austin, County Commissioner, District #3
Roberta Frissell, citizen at large (County]
Kris Nelson, Port Townsend CYty Council
Sheila Westerman, Vice Chair, Citizen at large (City)
Jill Buhler, Hospital Commissioner, District #2
Staj�►'Memebers
Thomas Locke, MD, MPH Health Officer
Jean Baldwin, Public Health Services Dir
Julia Danskin, Nursing Services Dir
Jared Keefer, Env, Health Services Dir
Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Dir
Vice Chair Westerman called the February 20, 2014 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of
Health to order at 2:30 PM. A quorum was present.
Members Present: Jill Buhler, Sheila Westerman, Roberta Fr ssell, David Sullivan, Phil
Johnson, John Austin
Staff Present: Thomas Locke, .lean. Baldwin, .fared Keefer, Veronica Shaw
Members Absent: Kris Nelson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chair Westerman called for review and approval of agenda for 2/20/2014 meeting.
Member Austin suggested adding a review of medication take -back, suggested adding under
needle exchange program review, under Item 3, new business.
Member Austin moved to approve the agenda as amended, the motion was seconded by
member Buhler. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Westerman called for review and approval of the minutes of the 1/16/2014 meeting
of the Board of Health.
Vice Chair Westerman notes the following corrections to be made: (1) On page S, correct
spelling of "Olympic Area Agency on Aging," and (2) correction on page 5 to remove "Flu
season is be peaking..."
Member Buhler moved to approve the minutes as amended; the motion was seconded by
member Johnson. No further discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
No public comment
PUBLIC COMMENT
OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Jefferson Healthcare Jefferson County Public Health Community Health Partnership
meeting update
First meeting of this joint work group is tomorrow, February 21, 2014 from 3-4. Members of the
work group include Jill Buhler or Matt Reading from the hospital district. Participants will
include local doctors, mental health practitioners, and Jefferson County Health staff. Jean
Baldwin will be presenting a 20 minute overview of 2014 health of Jefferson County
demographics to a joint City and County planning commission in March
Washington State Board of Health Recommended Strategies to Improve the Oral Health of
Washington Residents
A Washington State Berard of Health letter signed; by Jahn Austin, State BOH chair, is included
in the Boards packet, along with presentations regarding: strategies to improve the oral health of
Washington Residents. These presentations were before the State Department of Health, and
sent to state oral health partners. JC BOH questioned whether the State Board would be willing
to approach the insurance commissioner to urge the inclusion of dental in insurance plans.
Member Austin agrees. over 700,000 Washington residents now have Medicaid dental
insurance. There are, however, very few dentists (of the 5,000 dentists in WA state, 254 accept
it). Medicaid pays less than cost of services.
Family Planning: A Public Success Story
A Washington State Department of Health brochure, "Family Planning: A Public Success Story,"
is included in the Board's packet. For every dollar invested in family planning, $5,68 is saved.
JC is serving as many clients in family planning as Kitsap, and double the numbers of Mason and
Island counties. This program continues to be a well utilized program in Jefferson County, and
the result can be seen in low pregnancy rates of youth in Jefferson County. It is important to
nate that one of the state family planning imtitiatives, Take Charge, a federal waiver program,
won't be continued in Washington State after 2016.
Public Health and Leadership Imperative
An article from Governing Magazine is included in the Board's packet, drawing attention to
some of the constraints in the public health systems. Public health as we know it is changing, but
its destination isn't clear. Member Austin commented on the importance of educating about the
importance of public health initiatives and public health departments, particularly emphasizing
vaccinations, and other public health issues.
2014 Jefferson County Board of Health Meeting Dates
A 2014 calendar of Beard of Health meeting dates is included in the Board's packet for review—
there
eviewthere are possible overlaps with WASAC meetings in November. Staff will follow up regarding
any conflicts, and updates to the calendar will be made if necessary.
Press Release – Hood Canal Oil Spill
Jared Keefer reviewed information about an oil spill at the Bangor Naval Base. Oil, estimated at
2,000 gallons, was accidentally released Monday from Bangor Naval Base. In response, the
Washington Department of Health (DOH) issued a shellfish advisory for Hood Canal from
Brown Paint on the Toandos Peninsula to the Hood Canal Bridge. Recreational harvest of
shellfish in this area is temporarily closed due to the possibility of contamination by pollutants.
Jefferson County Public Health posted Emergency Closure signs at the public boat ramp at Hicks
County Park, the only public access point on the western shore. The closure includes Case
Shoal, DNR -57B and DNRw59 shellfish beaches that are accessible only by boat.
NEW BUSINESS
2013 Performance Measures Plan
Staff reviewed the upcoming process for reviewing 2013 performance measures. There are
many programs and projects in the public health and environmental health divisions which will
begin reviewing and compiling information for performance measures plans. Jefferson County
Public Health uses a quality improvement process from Lean processes ---the Plan, Do, Study,
Act cycle. Internal protocol reviewed.
Public Health Hero Awards for 2013
National Public Health week is April 7-13, 2014. Traditionally Jefferson County Board of Health
identifies "Public Health Heroes" to honor during this week. This year, with the Affordable Care
Act (ACA), it was recommended that the 2014 honorees should include the local 03A
volunteers, employees <from ,JCPH and Jefferson Healthcare when have added to their normal
work to be available to help the citizens of JC enroll in the ACA options. These "In Person
Assisters" have enrolled a significant number of people. The Board encouraged staff to proceed
with the process.
Jefferson County Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) Report & Drug Takeback
Staff reviewed highlights from the 2413 Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) report included in the
Board's packet. The SEP is an opportunity to engage in prevention education with clients.
Dr. Locke shared information about heroine use—charts from the University of Washington,
which has been tracking over the last decade the epidemic of opiate use and its tolls. The data
sources are from criminal justice and death certificates. Police have been making efforts in last
4-5 years to decrease the misuse of prescribed narcotics. It was predicted that heroine use would
increase, Many people became addicted to prescription narcotics. Opiate involved deaths
outnumber deaths in motor vehicles. Treatment, referrals and abstinence are the goals, in
addition to harm reduction strategies; Naloxone is an injectable or nasal spray antidote for heroin
users. It's a prescription drug; however, the legislature is working to make it legal for people
closer to users—parents partners, police, EMTs.
John Austin reported that in 2013, the drug take back program took back 595 pounds of pills
returned to Jefferson County Sherriff s office and the Port Townsend Police Department. This is
97 pounds more than the amount taken back in 2012.
Legislative updates
Legislative updates are included in the board's packet, and were reviewed by staff.
EHB 1538, regarding public health nurses dispensing medications doesn't appear to be stalled.
HB 2572 regarding health reform, supported by the Governor, requiring the Health Care
Authority to create a process designating "accountable collaborative for health" is in compromise
discussions. This bill made it out of the House, but may see strong resistance in the Senate.
There's some concern about the level of control of local public health issues.
Water Quality; update on Chimacum Creek Fecal Contamination Study
Michael Dawson updated the Board on water quality testing results. Clean Water grants allowed
the Conservation District to take water samples monthly, and an extra test for microbial source
tracking There are 28 testing stations throughout the valley. Of those, 20 had microbial positive
results. The testing was DNA specific to identify presence or absence of warm blooded
mammalian fecal matter, human, ruminant fecal matter or "others'. Results of testing are
indicated in the reports included in the Board's packet.
Follow up work is required. Sanitary surveys will be undertaken again, which will further
illuminate issues. Agricultural best management practice uses are encouraged, and could be
increased.
Nomination to Jefferson County Substance Abuse Advisory Board
A letter is included in the Board's packet from a Port Townsend citizen, Ards, indicating interest
in appointment to the Substance Abuse Advisory Board. Vice -chair Westerman noted that the
letter is compelling, and very well written.
Member Buhler moved to approve the appointment of Ards to the Substance Abuse
Advisory Board for a term of 3 years. Member Frissell seconded the motion. No further
discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
ACTIVITY UPDATE
Member Johnson reported that Oil Safety Transportation bill made it through the House to the
Senate.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public .comment.
No agenda planning.
AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
Next Board of Health meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20`x, 2014 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
at Jefferson County Public Health, 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend WA.
ADJOURNMENT
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Vice Chair Westerman adjourned the February 20, 2014 Jefferson County Board of Health
meeting t 4:34 PM.
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
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hl Johnson, ember
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Roberta Frissell, Member
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s Nelson, Member
Sheila Westerman, Vice Chair
Respectfully Submitted:
Cara Leckenby
illBuller, 'Member