BOARD OF HEALTH
February 2, 2009
** NOT APPROVED **
Members Attending: R. Truax,
L. Cusumano, MD, T. LaFever,
S. Herdman, W. Simons, R. Gulati, MD
Others Present: L. Ballengee,
T. Hull, M. McNinch
Approval of Minutes
It
was noted that the January minutes need to be amended as follows: Page 2, Paragraph 3:
“Cancer Services Program has three providers for digital mammograms.”
Dr. Cusumano
moved to approve the minutes of November 2008 and January 2009, as amended. T. LaFever seconded
this motion. Motions carried.
Country Estates Mobile Home Park
Mr. Hull reported that he has been working with many
agencies to resolve the issues at this park.
Has been in touch with the Public Service Commission is reference to not
shutting off the electric at the park, and
working with another agency to provide a schematic for the water system. The Department will continue to work to
solve the issues without displacing the individuals who live at this park
Country Inn
A complaint had been received in reference to the Clean
Indoor Air Act. This was their third
offense and they were fined $100.00.
Hume-Sanford Water Supply
The Department has found it difficult to contact the
Water Operator for this water system.
Violation notices have been sent in reference to the Operator obtaining his
Operating Certificate, and for failing to submit an Annual
Water Quality Report for calendar year 2007. It was later determined the Operator did
renew his certification, but didn’t let the department know. In May, a water analysis must be completed to
determine if there is surface water entering the water supply, and if so, they
will be given a certain amount of time to either provide treatment or find an
alternate water source. There are 37
properties on the system.
Allegany ARC Request
JoAnne LaForge from Allegany
ARC has requested a standing order through the Health Department to enable the
agency to obtain Tubersol and syringes to administer annual
tuberculin skin tests (TST) on-site to their employees and clients, to meet their
operational requirements. Mr. Hull
indicated that the Health Department’s own standing order on this subject is in
need of updating and sign-off by Dr. Depner, the
department’s Medical Director, so he will update it as necessary, including
Allegany ARC, and provide to Dr. Depner to sign.
County’s Comprehensive Plan
After reviewing the Comprehensive Plan it was noted that
“health” was mentioned very little. Ms.
Ballengee and Mr. Hull met with the Plan committee to discuss this. Discussed was recruitment of physicians and
dentists, how to retain them, housing, etc.
Dr. Simons stated some of the reasons it is difficult are; it is rural,
the wives do not want to come here, and the money is not as good. The hospital has a “welcoming committee”. They take the physician and their family
around and show them different things.
This makes a difference. The
County has also talked about doing this and also would like to talk to
hospitals as to what they see the barriers are in retaining medical professionals.
Home Care
Ms. McNinch updated this board regarding the progress of
the Willcare transition of the Allegany County
Department of Health’s home care agencies.
This topic was on the State’s agenda for January, there will be another
meeting in February. The closure plan
has been sent to Marge Jordan which needed only minor changes. It is expected that final approval will occur
on March 13, 2009; then will have to await the official letter of
approval. It is expected that the
transition of patients and patient records will start as of April 1, 2009. A letter will be written and sent to the
area physicians, employees, and patients.
The patient must be given a choice of which home care agency they want
to utilize in their care, Willcare or VNA.
Laurie Hennessy will be used per diem through Willcare,
and Sue Hunter has been offered and is considering a position with Willcare. The
Professional Advisory Committee will be dissolved as Willcare
falls under the WNY Professional Advisory Committee, but they would like to
form a similar committee in the Allegany County Area.
The Adverse Event Report was very good. Employee morale is good. The Visits per day reports were reviewed and
looked very good.
New Building Proposal
The lease for the building in Wellsville that the WIC
Program and Cancer Services Program occupies will end
in July. The landlord does not want to
entertain a new lease with these programs.
The State WIC office has stated in the past that they will not put any
more money into leased property. As
these programs need somewhere to be housed, Ms. Ballengee is suggesting putting a building up on
county owed property located by the County jail. She has pricing on a “morton
building” and a brick and mortor building. It was noted that there will be monies
available from the sale of the home care agencies that could help fund this
project. It was also noted that the
county makes the final decision on what this money is used for. This proposal will be presented to the appropriate
County Legislative committees.
Family Planning and WIC Grants
The five year block grants for these programs are up this
year. The
State has indicated that they may not provide funding in the next budget year
for the Family Planning Program if the services do not return to full
time. The program must have a full time
coordinator and a full time educator.
Most grants have taken an 8% decrease in funding. The Department has been able to retain all
staff and provide all services.
Sliding Fee Scale
An updated fee scale was presented and approved with
motions from Dr. Simons and Dr. Gulati. Motions carried.
Other Business
This Board needs to nominate a Vice President and was
asked to think about this for the next meeting which is scheduled on March 2,
2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Claypool