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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 August PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING ) COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL VITAL STATISTICS HEALTH EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ~ ~ i.ii::.- -~ - - - 802 SHERIDAN PORT TOWNSEND, WASH. 98368 (206) 385.0722 HEALTH BOARD Minutes: August 15, 1989 BOARD MEMBERS: B. G. Brown, Chairman Larry W, Dennison, Member George C. Brown, Member ~TAFF MEMBERS: CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND - - EEPRESENTATIVE :, Director of Environmental Health (Vacant) Kathy Stafford, Administrator Irene Senior Pomeroy, Director of Nursing Services J. Peter Geerlofs, M. D., Health Officer Karen Chang *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** The meeting B. G. Brown. The Commissioner Larry W. Pomeroy, Dr. J. Peter was called to order at fOllowing Board and Dennison; Commissioner Geerlofs, Karen Chang, the appointed time by Chairman staff members were present: George C. Brown; Irene Senior YUko Umeda, and Gwen Howard. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of July 18, 1989 were approved as read by motion of Commissioner Larry Dennison and seconded by Commissioner George Brown. NURSES REPORT: Communic3bl~ Disease U12datec':' Public Health Nurse YUko Umeda reported on Hepatitis A and Measles outbreaks. - Health Board Meeting Minutes of August 15, 1989 After further discussion, Hepatitis A; the Bellingham person immunized. it was noted that it is costly to immunize for grocery store is being billed the $35.00 for each Page: 2 Hepatitis A; YUko Umeda reported that a recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in Bellingham resulted in thousands of people being immunized. As a result, Jefferson County saw a total of 35 people for this disease. They were given the new Globulin II vaccine. Dr. Geerlofs commented that this response to Hepatitis A was controversial as it is considered a relatively benign disease. He noted that Hepatitis A is a virus and that the population tends to become immune to it, although jaundice and nausea could result from it for about a week. He stated that there are never deaths from this virus. The public tends to confuse it with the Hepatitis B which does cause serious health problems. He felt that the appropriate response would have been to allow the people to decide if they wanted the hemoglobin or not. Measles: Yuko Umeda informed the Board that there are measles outbreaks all across the nation, but there have been none in the County during the past four months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation is that children should receive two doses to immunize for measles, one vaccine at 15 months of age and a booster during junior highschool. The County follows ACIP guidelines. ACIP is currently evaluating the two-vaccine recommendations. At present there is no funding for a two vaccination schedule. It isn't recommended that Jefferson County adhere to such a schedule until more formal guidelines have been established. Dr. Geerlofs commented that he would recommend a booster as some are still contracting measles even though they received a vaccination at 15 months. If a client wants to have a second immunization, they may have one. Prenatal Care Chanqes; MSSP/Case Manaqement: Irene Senior Pomeroy reported that the Health Department has someone for this program. It was determined that there aren't any other proViders available with the number of qualifications that are desired. The Health Department's going to be the p~ovider of the prenatal maternity service. There was about $4,000.00 left from the original prenatal care program, which was used to get this program started. By the end of the year the Department should know how the program is working. Dr. Geerlofs pointed out that many of the physicians are quitting prenatal care which may result in an added burden to the program. Washin ton Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Ne lect Grant WCPCAN1; Irene Senior Pomeroy informed the Board that this grant was approved, although there was concern about the visual portion of the program. It was decided that the Department could still go on with this part of the program, which would enable parents to see themselves interacting with their children. Health Board Meeting Minutes of August 15, 1989 Page: 3 Protest from Clearwater Sheriff's Office: Irene Senior Pomeroy reported that this is the second complaint about families which are li"i~g on property in trailers, trucks, and shacks without benefit of sewage facilities or running water. This land isn't serviced by the Fire Department. The children of these seven or eight families are running around without clothing. Reports have been made to the state Child Protective Services regarding child neglect. One family consists of a pregnant mother and five children. The mother is receiving prenatal care and she regularly sees a nurse practitioner. The children are healthy, immunized, and they attend school. The Department of Health contracts with Clallam County for Environmental and nursing services for the West End. The nurse has visited the families; Child Protective Services is aware of the situation; and a sanitarian will be sent out by the environmental office. WAC 248-96-015 and WAC 248-96-016 of the State Board of Heal th Rules and Regulations governing On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems require the local Board of Health to adopt minimum standards as set forth by the State Board of Health. In Section I, Scope, of Jefferson County Ordinance Number 2-77, 1.2, it states that "Every residence, place of business or other bUilding or place where persons congregate, reside or are employed, to which a public sewerage system is not available, shall be provided with a water-flush toilet system connected to an On-Site Disposal System or shall have an alternate device for the disposal of domestic ~lastes..." This section of Ordinance 2-77 was read to those on the property and a copy of this is being sent to them. This situation will be reviewed after the Environmental Health point of view is determined and the Prosecuting Attorney is consulted. It has been suggested that all complaints and concerns be directed to the appropriate authorities and agencies. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Food Policy Review: Gwen Howard, Environmental Health TeChniCian, presented the proposed policy in its revised form. After discussion the Board decided to have the policy, with a few changes, presented to the Board of County Commissioners in order to advertise a public hearing to adopt the proposed additions to Ordinance No. 2-77 as follows: Add as paragraph at the end of Section III, 3.2a: At the time of reinspection, if there are 30 or more Red item points, all Red violations must be corrected immediately (or within a reasonable, agreed upon, time) and the Blue items in violation must be corrected within 15 days. The establishment shall also provide time for employees to have an education session on safe food handling. The establishment may be reinspected and the operator shall pay the Health Department a reinspection fee. Add as paragraph at the end of Section III, 3.2c: An administrative hearing shall be scheduled after two reinspections and failure to correct repeated violations. The hearing shall review the inspection records and arrive at a mutually satisfactory schedule of compliance with all provisions of the Health Board Meeting Minutes of August 15, 1989 Page: 4 State and County rules and regulations. An administrative hearing fee may be charged to the operator. In the event the operator refuses or fails to abide by the compliance schedule, the Board may take appropriate action. Add as Section III, 3.2d: When an establishment has over three Blue items (sanitation and maintenance) that are repeated violations over a course of one year, these violations must be corrected within thirty (30) days. At that time the establishment may be reinspected and the operator shall pay the Health Department a reinspection fee. MEETING ADJOURNED .JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH e~ B: G. Brown, Chairman .~fZ)~ ,~n;~ George -_ Brown, Member