DIVISION ACTIVITY REPORTS July through September 2007 ADMINISTRATIVE Employee Safety Training/Tips: Juanita Peterka informs staff at monthly staff meetings about safety items. The following was reported during this period: Juanita Peterka reviewed the procedures for fire drills for the Health Department. Juanita reminded staff to cross the street and meet by the front entrance of the Court House or in the event of inclement weather, go to the designated area of the first floor parking ramp. Due to the extreme heat and humidity, Juanita reminded staff to drink plenty of water to prevent hydration. Juanita Peterka told staff that in the event of a power outage, the outside doors to the County Office Building will not work. If entry is needed outside of the normal working hours, a key to the building may be checked out through PSAP. Proper identification will be required to do so. Juanita Peterka thanked staff that completed on-line safety courses. A reminder was given to staff as to the protocol for tornado warnings and for when the fire alarms are sounded in the County Office Building. Peggy Vanyo and Juanita Peterka attended and participated in the Department Strategic Planning session in September. Debbie Hanson-Misialek is attending the Chamber Leadership program. Media/Public Relations: Several public health related items were published in the newspaper/or covered on the radio and television. Care Day Community Benefits Fund: During this period $50.00 was donated to RJ & Julie Erickson for their son Ryan, and $50.00 donated to Leslie Vatnsdal to assist with cancer treatments. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Mosquito control field operations were completed for the season as of September 30, 2007. Tim Haak and Del Streitz attended the North Dakota Emergency Management Association Conference held in Fargo in September. Environmental Health staff participated in the orientation of family practice residents in the UND Family Practice Residency Program during this period. Environmental Health staff responded to the Northwood tornado disaster by providing information on carbon monoxide, food safety and proper use of respirator masks. The local day care center was inspected and allowed to reopen. Inspections of homes for mold problems were also performed. Tim Haak attended a CDC training conference on use of the strategic national stockpile of vaccines in the event a pandemic should occur. This course was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Environmental Health staff attended department strategic planning held on September 19, 2007. Construction plans for five new restaurants were approved during this period. Jim Schothorst developed a “Food Safety for Tailgating” brochure which was distributed at the Potato Bowl. The City was adulticided for mosquitoes a total of 13 times this summer. Environmental staff responded to numerous complaints of mold in homes and apartments during this period. Nursing and Nutrition Division Activity Highlights for July, August and September 2007 Health Promotion Team Members: Carrie Kaltenberg (team leader), Theresa Knox, Rachel Salwei, Haley Thorson, Programs: Tobacco Prevention, Women’s Way, Wellness The city and county wellness program hosted one wellness challenge and two Lunch and Learn presentations. Blue Cross Blue Shield presented, "Walking Works" and "Take Care". Forty-six employees participated in these events. The seventh edition of the Wellness Wire Newsletter was sent to all Grand Forks City and County employees. Women’s Way conference call was held with state and all Local Coordinating Units. A Women's Way presentation was given to providers at Meritcare Central, East Grand Forks and the program hosted a site visit and chart review by the Women's Way state program nurse consultant. Rachel Salwei coordinated Family Medicine Resident orientation at Grand Forks Public Health. The Tobacco Prevention Program and Women's Way Program had a joint display at CORE Women's Health Connection conference on September 22. The youth tobacco prevention coordinator established a tobacco prevention presentation schedule coinciding with the rotation of clients through the Center for Adolescent Treatment. The Tobacco Prevention Program Coordinator and the Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator have been working with six University of North Dakota nursing students on a project centered on the Great American Smoke out. Theresa Knox is mentoring a Masters Public Health student for six months, from September 2007 through February 2008. A presentation about tobacco cessation classes was given to Altru employees enrolled in pilot program, "Quit2Win”. Two tobacco cessation classes are currently running; August 28 – October, 1 at UND and September 11 through October 16 at the Health Department. Family Health Team Members: Allen Anderson (team leader), Mandy Burbank, Cindy Loiland, Betty Otteson, Danielle Kovarik Programs: Maternal & Child Health, ND Health Tracks, Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Needs Betty Otteson was appointed to serve on the Grand Forks County Child Protection Team; her appointment will be from August, 2007 to July 2010. Danielle Kovarik continues to serve as the liaison for UND College of Nursing Students. She provided orientation to Grand Forks Public Health for a record seven clinical groups on August 29 and 30, and coordinates clinical experiences for those groups of students. Three nursing students are also scheduled to complete six week practicum experiences this fall at the Health Department, participating in a variety of programs. The Health Tracks Program conducted well child exams on approximately 260 children ages 0-21 who are enrolled in Medicaid, during July, August and September. The car seat program provided safety seats and education to several families during this period, including Northwood residents. Betty Otteson and Danielle Kovarik also attended all day training in Fargo on Child Passenger Safety. On September 11th, Allen presented the topic of “School Wellness Policy and Nutrition” to the Grand Forks Rotary Club. Mandy Burbank and Allen Anderson attended the joint ND Dietetic Association and ND Nutrition Council Annual Conference in Bismarck. The Northern Valley Dental Health Coalition welcomed Dr. Grant Korsmo, who has been hired by Valley Community Health Centers to serve as the dentist for the new community dental clinic opening in Grand Forks in late October or early November. Disease Prevention Team Members: Kathy Dunn (team leader), Terri Keehr, and Twyla Streibel Programs: Immunization, TB, Refugee Health, HIV, Ryan White, Influenza Grand Forks Public Health Department Immunization Program administered more than 419 vaccinations to area residents during July and August. The average age-appropriate immunization rate for Grand Forks County children less than two years of age is 90%. Public health nurses staffed the Manvel Migrant School vaccination clinic, where 144 records were reviewed, and indicating 129 children needed vaccination. On the clinic day, 58 children vaccinated. The ND Department of Health conducted a site visit of our Ryan White Program on July 18. Several public health nurses attended the TB Education and Training sessions by Heartland TB Center, San Antonio, Texas via video conference on June 26, July 10, July 31, and August 22. We represented the Health Department at meetings held on the topic of chronic homelessness in Grand Forks on August 22 and September 20. Twyla Streibel attended a Hepatitis C Training Workshop in Bismarck on September 13. Our department currently serves as a pilot site for Hepatitis C testing. Terri Keehr met with the Refugee Health Coordinator from Fargo Family Health Care, Fargo Cass Public Health, and the Grand Forks Family Medicine Residency Program and Pharmacy to discuss refugee health screening protocols. A community stakeholders meeting to review housing, transportation and medical concerns for new refugees was held on September 18. Presentations include: NDIIS training for Altru emergency room personnel, Immunization updates at Altru Family Medicine Center, Altru Pediatrics, and Grand Forks Public Health, TB presentations to clients in treatment programs, and a Universal Precautions presentation at the Village Family Services. The Disease Prevention team collaborated with Altru to survey coaches and athletes about their knowledge of Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) and their health practices. Educational materials were developed and distributed to health units and during sports physicals. On August 9, Dr. James Hargreaves presented, “Skin Infection in Sports” a presentation on antimicrobial resistance, to Grand Forks Public Schools’ coaches. The Disease Prevention Team is working with the UND College of Nursing to provide influenza, tetanus, and pneumococcal vaccinations at a senior health fair to be held at Parkwood Place on November 8, 2007. Health Services Team Members: Kathy Mack (team leader), Linda Opstad, Bill Lund, Stacie Olson Programs: Correctional Center, Home Visits, Office Nursing, School Nursing During July, August, and September, 1011 clients were served by public health nurses in our office for services including TB skin tests, health teaching, immunizations, STD counseling, blood pressure monitoring, medication administration and head lice checks. During July, August, September, public health nurses made 464 home visits to residents in Grand Forks County. Services included health assessments, education, and medication setup, prenatal and newborn assessments. There were 18 admissions and 22 discharges during this period. During July, August, and September, Kathy Mack provided five “Heart at Work” screenings for newly hired city employees. Stacie Olson, correctional center nurse, has a UND nursing student completing her practicum experience for six weeks at the jail. Stacie will be teaching “medication administration” 15 correctional officers in September. Stacie Olson attended training in July entitled “Suicide and Self Mutilation”. Bill Lund attended a conference “2007 ND Children and Family Services” held in Bismarck. Division Activities Several staff members presented lectures at the UND College of Nursing on the topics of Coalition Building, Correctional Health, and Policy Development. Members of our division participate in strategic planning activities and currently lead the Green Team, working on environmentally friendly initiatives and the Wood Techs, whose mission is to improve communication through technology.