Board of Health - April 20, 2018 Minutes
Regular Meeting: Friday, April 20, 2018
Present: Vern Bennett, Dinah Goldenberg, Chelsey Matter, John Strand, and Mike Thorstad
Absent: Chris Anderson, MD
Others Present: Larry Anenson, John Baird, MD; Jan Eliassen, Desi Fleming, Doug Murphy, and Kim Vance
Chelsey Matter, Chair called the meeting to order.
Announcements: Desi Fleming said there were no announcements.
Vern Bennett distributed a newsletter article on e-cigarettes “Vapers could be inhaling lead and arsenic.” Discussed how proud tobacco rate was down in children but it looks like a wash, educating the community, it is not regulated or controlled, young people starting out and getting addicted to nicotine, popcorn lungs on early tests, and looking at the possibility of licensing and working with the e-cigarette stores in our community. Larry and Commissioner Strand are in the beginning stages of getting information for collaboration.
Vern asked do we test hog farms. Grant said it is under the States jurisdiction as primary regulator and inspector.
Chelsey, as part of the statewide outreach you will be receiving information to help bring up rates up of well-child visits.
Approve minutes from February 16, 2018: John Strand made a motion to approve the February 16, 2018 meeting minutes. Mike Thorstad seconded and motion carried.
Budget Report: Revenue is on track and Melissa will be involved in that meeting in June.
Health Officer Report: Dr. Baird circulated copies of his report. Highlighted soft start of Syringe Services Program, presentation to Senator Heitkamp’s staff, bedbug seminar, Point of Dispensing tabletop, Disaster Fatality Operations Team training Bismarck, and Coroner meetings with Sanford and Essentia. Gave Mayor Mahoney resignation letter effective August 1st. Chelsey thanked Dr. Baird for his years of service.
Harm Reduction Update: Circulated two handouts (Mobile Outreach Unit and list of Advisory Board Members) Jan Eliassen, celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Gladys Ray Shelter on March 10 of this year. We try to do harm reduction across the community and all of our efforts are helping people reduce risky behavior. Did start the Mobile Outreach unit on February 28 for Detox services. Discussed advisory board for the mobile unit, crisis-driven care, 111 pickups in 30 days, operated eight hours a day, savings of $100,000 if not using Ambulance transports, and Essentia provided $32,000.
We are working on the Syringe Services Specialist position. Have been painting and doing set up services ourselves at the building, which will be open for about half day and soft opening will be May 1. It is much more than a syringe exchange program, it is about helping people stay safe. Talked about reaching out to the Downtown Neighborhood Association, positive peer group, outreach to family members for naloxone and Narcan training, and rapid testing for Hep C and HIV.
Commissioner Strand was proud of their accomplishments. He suggested a proposal to the League of Cities on these services. Jan talked about being consumer driven. Talked about fewer deaths, reduction of adverse effects and risky behavior, Living Free sponsored by jail chaplains, evidence-based program, and focus on recovery.
Home Health Update: Handed out copies of Health Maintenance Referral Criteria and Home Health Policy and Procedure Depression Screening. Suzanne Schaefer, Home Health Coordinator, is working on getting the PHQ2 and PHQ-9 depression screening on all of our home health visits. We have increasing clients with mental health diagnosis. Discussed when screening is done, standardized approach and intervention, home health eligibility criteria, and new medication holding policy effective May 1st. Explained how the new medication policy was beneficial to the client. Chelsey commended Suzanne on the depression policy.
Next Meeting: Budget Meeting June 1, 2018