BOARD OF HEALTH

April 7, 2008

 

** NOT APPROVED **


Members Attending

C. Richmond, D. Brubaker, MD; L. Cusumano, MD; R. Truax

 

Others Present

L. Ballengee, T. Hull, J. Heady

 

Approval of Minutes

            The minutes of March 3, 2008 were approved with motions from Ms. Richmond and second from Dr. Cusumano.  Motions carried.

 

Public Health

            Ms. Ballengee requested approval to apply for a Licensed Home Care Service Agency operating certificate.   This is needed to continue doing home visits for things such as Well Baby visits.  Ms. Richmond and Dr. Brubaker moved on the request and the motions carried. 

 

            Dr. Cusumano would like the Health Department to administer the different vaccines, instead of individuals having it through their doctor’s offices.      The cost is a factor for both the physicians and the individuals depending on their insurance coverage.

 

            Dr. Brubaker would like a listing of the services that the Health Department provides.  It was mentioned that the department has been discussing the changes that would be needed on our current pamphlet.

 

Home Care

            Ms. Ballengee distributed a list that shows the number of visits per day being performed by the department’s nursing staff.  It has improved considerably.

 

            It was also noted that M. Muhleisen’s last day with the department is April 10, 2008.

 

            The Management Contract with Willcare needs to be addressed.  Willcare wants to use their own nurses.  They were told to they needed to contact our nursing union representative, Karen Wida to discuss this issue.

 

            Ms. Heady distributed information on acute care hospitalizations,  and improvement with oral medications information to the committee members.     These issues have shown improvement due to more scrutiny on the part of management and teaching.   Start of Care notations in primary diagnosis, vital signs, drainage and dressing, and medications need to be documented more thoroughly.

 

            On actual medication sheet received from a  hospital was shown.  Along with this, a medication profile completed by nursing staff upon visiting the patient was presented.  It is noted that the patient is on a number of medications not listed on the discharge med sheet received from the hospital.  Also there were a few more allergies that were not listed on the discharge papers.   This issue needs to be addressed.  Some suggestions were offered.  

 

            Ms. Ballengee reported that while attending the NYSACHO meeting, every agency that was present is not making money on their home care agencies.   The Central NY agencies stated they have noticed a difference in the State Auditors.

 

            A request to approve the Family Planning Fee Schedule was made.  Dr. Brubaker and Ms. Richmond made the appropriate motions.  Motions carried.

 

            In reference to the department’s Cancer Screening grant, the State has directed the department to combine these services with Cattaraugus County.   The State has had some issues with the grant as submitted, one of which is staffing.     The Department, as of this date, has not received approval on the new grant (April 1, 2008 – March 31, 2009).

 

Article 28

 

            Mr. Hull has been working on the Policy and Procedure Manual for Article 28.  Previously sections 1 – 11 were distributed  to this board for review.   Mr. Hull asked for board approval of these sections.  Doctors Brubaker and Cusumano made the appropriate motion approving Sections 1-11.  Motions carried.   Sections 12 and 13 were distributed to board members for review and they will be addressed at a future meeting.

 

Other Business

Discussion took place regarding an Alfred Student who passed away suddenly.   An autopsy may be performed.  Everyone at the School was given assurance that there was not a contagious disease present.

 

            Briefly discussed was a water pressure problem in Friendship, and a couple septic systems that have not been corrected.

 

            It was reported to the Health Department that there was a broken milk jug full of needles in a ditch along a roadway.  Ms. Ballengee and Mr. Hull went to the location and retrieved all of the needles.

 

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before this board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Teresa Claypool