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Dr. Guidry made a presentation to the Galveston County Commissioners Court on the District’s 2004 accomplishments and future plans. This was also the subject of a press release issued on April 5, 2005. The court’s report included many items relating to the GCHD Strategic Health Plan. The press release was carried in the Gulf Coast E News. To view the complete text and accompanying information please visit http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/04Accomp.htm.

A press release issued on April 7, 2005 recognized all food service establishments that received 2005 Gold Ribbon Awards for exemplary operations. The awards were presented on April 6th during a ceremony held at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in La Marque. The press release can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/04GoldRbn.htm.

The District issued a press release on April 15, 2005 outlining plans to recognize all District volunteers. The program initially started with funding from the Mainland Communities United Way has logged many valuable volunteer hours of service since the beginning of the program in April 2004. The release was carried in the Gulf Coast E News, and the Galveston County Daily News. To read the entire release visit http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/04VolunteersRecognized.htm.

GCHD animal shelter improvements in Texas City were the subject of a press release issued on April 19, 2005. A process to seal the floor preventing spread of disease and controlling odor was mentioned in the release. Information on revision in services offered during the process was also included. The press release can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/04SheltrImprovmnt.htm.

On April 20, 2005 the District issued a press release outlining activities for National Infant Immunization Week in Galveston County. The release included information on the importance of timely and adequate childhood immunizations and a list of location were parents and other caregivers could access free immunizations during the week of April 25-30, 2005. The Galveston County Daily News used the information in developing an editorial encouraging all parents to make sure their children are adequately immunized. This press release can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/04FreeShots.htm.

Interim Program Manager for HIV Administration Services - Effective April 25, 2005, Bridget Duran was appointed to the position of Interim Program Manager for HIV Services. This appointment follows the resignation of Anne McMorris who is relocating to Chicago. We congratulate Anne on her move and for effectively managing contract services for persons with HIV/AIDS over the past two years. Bridget will serve as interim manager until the position is filled through a competitive interview and selection process. She has been employed by the Health District for nine years and is currently the Database Manager in HIV Services for approximately 5 years.

Community Health Nursing and Outreach - Community Health Nurses attended meetings of the following organizations or collaborations: Diabetes Collaborative, Diabetes Coaches Meeting, VISTA Advisory Board, American Red Cross Board, Children, Families & Youth Board, Gulf Coast Homeless Coalition, Teen Health Center Board, St. Vincent’s House Web Care Initiative, Diabetes Support Group, Case Management, Texas Gulf Coast Health Care Quality, and CHAMP. 54 Home visits were made and CHN staff supervised ten (10) UTMB student nurses during their case management rotation.

Immunizations - Education was a high priority in March: Staff presented two TWICES trainings and four VFC Inventory training sessions to 4C’s Medical Staff, educated 39 UTMB student nurses in the immunization clinics. Immunization staff hosted the annual 4- part “Epidemiology of Vaccine- Preventable Diseases” teleconference. Six VFC inventories were reviewed and sent to the region. Two VFC follow-up site visits were made. A total of 1303 immunizations and 116 TB skin tests were given at the immunization sites. 271 children aged 2 and under were tracked for immunization reminders and 934 were for recall (11 home visits, 144 phone calls, 118 reminder cards, 99 recall cards and 44 medical charts audited). 229 records were entered into TWICES for other clinics, 43 monthly mail-outs were sent, 16 duplicate records were resolved for TWICES, and 32 for ImmTrac. An Immunization site visit is planned for May 18- 19, 2005.

Immunization Epidemiology - A total of 989 day care and school immunization records were reviewed, with 76.4% of them being up-to-date. 489 records were reviewed from 13-day cares, and those were 82% up-to-date, after follow-up 98.2% were up-to-date. A review of 100 records in each of five schools was done, and immunization referrals were made. 70.5% of those 500 records were up-to-date.

TB Elimination - During the month of March, the TB staff made 188 home visits and saw 61 patients in Chest Clinic. One new case, and two new suspects were identified; four new contacts were tested. 70-targeted tests given at 4C’s clinics, 307 clients from the jail were tested.

Women, Infants And Children (WIC) Program - WIC staff celebrated their hard work, and organizational changes after being removed from Probationary Status following the DSHS WIC audit in February 2005. Staff members are striving to continuously provide excellent service to the GCHD community. Several WIC employees attended the Annual Nutrition/Breastfeeding Conference in Austin, where a variety of educational sessions were offered, and WIC staff from across the State came together to share new ideas for the increasing WIC population. WIC staffs are excited about attending the Annual Teen Parent Roundup on April 29, 2005 at The College of the Mainland. This one-day workshop for pregnant and parenting teens allows WIC educators to speak one-on-one about health and nutrition, and to make appropriate educational materials available that can be shared with the entire family.

Senior Outreach - During March, staff attended six community meetings, participated in two health fairs, gave four presentations and one in-service activity, made 10 referrals, and assisted five clients to complete their QMB applications. On April 12, 2005, the Senior Health Advisory Committee met to discuss the results of the senior questionnaires received thus far. Seniors have been interviewed at the senior centers, 4 C’s Clinic waiting rooms, Mall of the Mainland, a local BINGO hall, churches, and grocery stores. The next steps will be to survey seniors at the Friday Food Fairs and develop a plan to reach homebound seniors. To date, members of the SHAC have distributed approximately 5,000 Senior Health Resources Cards. The council continues to monitor the progress of the development of the senior-friendly GCHD brochure.

Breast Cancer Screening Programs - During March, 132 women were screened for breast cancer through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Services or D’Feet Breast Cancer programs. Thirty (22.7%) women were found to have an abnormal mammogram or clinical breast exam and were referred for evaluation. Staff from both programs participated in the quarterly regional case management conference and one staff member attended the Susan Koman Foundation’s Breast Cancer Summit.

Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) - Staff attended two meetings at St. Vincent’s House. Nine individuals attended the Community Health Coach Training Class. Staff continued working with a representative from the County Extension Office on the curriculum for Whisking Your Way to Health Cooking series. Take Action Classes have started at The Jesse Tree in Texas City. Planning is underway for the Diabetes Day (05/26/05) offered to Galveston County residents. The RWJ staff prepared and presented a poster “snapshot” at the RWJ Clinical Learning Network meeting. Staff held classes and support groups on sixteen (16) occasions with a total of 51 participants. They also provided blood pressure and glucose testing at the Bay Harbour United Methodist Church.

Animal Services Task Force - The Task Force met on April 20, 2005 to discuss revision five of the Animal Services Interlocal Agreement. Several changes to the agreement were discussed and approved by majority vote. The Interlocal Agreement with all of the approved changes will now be forwarded to the Galveston County United Board of Health for discussion and approval. The agreement will then be sent to all of our member cities for signing. Letters requesting nominations to the Animal Services Advisory Committee will be drafted and sent to each member city and to registered non-profit Animal Rescue groups. The nominations received will be presented at the next United Board of Health meeting for discussion and approval.

Public Health Laboratory is anticipating an increase of approximately 150 additional enterococci samples over and above the usual 250 samples per month. This increase is due to the start up of weekly sampling associated with the Texas Beach Watch Program. In addition to the enterococci samples, the laboratory in the month of April has analyzed 70 E. coli, 83 Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 557 Drinking Water, 89 Ammonia, 12 Fecal Coliform, and 100 Total Suspended Solids samples for both internal and external customers. The laboratory provides a full range of water chemistry tests and microbiological analysis on surface waters, effluent from wastewater treatment plants and potable drinking water. Over 100 repeat customers including most of our local municipalities, water districts, and municipal utility districts utilize these services along with internal customers such as the Air and Water Pollution Services Division.

Gold Ribbon Awards - The annual Gold Ribbon Awards were presented to 34 well deserving food establishments on April 6, 2005. The Gold Ribbon Awards are presented to exemplary food service establishments throughout the county. Award winners exhibit excellent compliance with local food service regulations as evidenced during routine food safety inspections. More than 100 people attended the affair at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in La Marque and were all treated to a reception following the award presentations.

Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Presentation - Garret Foskit, Galveston County Nuisance Abatement Officer, presented on April 11, 2005 to 75 members of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Texas Environmental Health Association on the legalities of the Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Rules and Regulations. This “in-depth” discussion reviewed Chapter 343 of the Texas Health and Safety Code that governs the abatement of nuisances. Many positive comments were received and as wells as a request from Fort Bend County asking for our assistance in helping to establish a nuisance abatement program in that county. In addition to this presentation, Garret spoke at the High Island Community Association and the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce on the issue of nuisances and the legal actions to abate them.

Air Monitoring Initiatives - Ronnie Schultz reviewed two new air initiatives with the Galveston County Commissioner’s Court on Monday, April 18. The first initiative concerns the District’s new mobile air toxic monitor trailers. This program, funded with state contract monies, was discussed at last month’s United Board of Health meeting and once approved will provide the District with the capability to monitor for air toxics throughout the county. The Commissioner’s were then made aware of a proposed initiative where the Health District’s Air and Water Pollution Services Division will team up with other air investigator’s from several jurisdictions targeting large pollution emitters in the Houston-Galveston area. The City of Houston, Harris County, TCEQ and the Health District are proposing to form a Multi-Jurisdictional Air Enforcement Task Force that will identify and inspect petrochemical facilities with excessive air emissions.

Animal Euthanasia Certification - On April 9, 2005, Health District sponsored an (8) hour euthanasia training course for 21 participants representing Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, and Waller Counties. The course consisted of approved methods of euthanasia, animal restraint, and stress management. As a result of this course, participants will meet the state mandate for euthanasia certification. For more information, contact Dana Wiltz-Beckham, DVM, Chief Epidemiologist, at (409) 938-2322 or by email at dbeckham@gchd.org

Inactive Medical Records Purge - The medical records staff has begun a purge of inactive records at the Galveston site. The project is intended to make better use of available medical records space by removing the charts of patients who have not had a medical or dental visit in the 4C’s clinic in more than two years. All of the patients charts identified in the purge as inactive will be boxed and stored at an offsite storage facility used by the 4C’s.
· 4C’s Medical Provider Vacancies - The 4C’s has two vacancies for medical providers. One position is for a staff physician, the other for a mid-level provider, (either Physician’s Assistant or a Family Nurse Practitioner). Recruiting efforts include the posting of the positions on the District web site and advertising in local medical periodicals. These positions will remain open until filled.

4C’s New RN - The 4C's Clinic has hired a new Clinic RN. Esay Douglas, Jr., BSN, RN started on April 18th. Mr. Douglas is an experienced nurse with a varied work history. He has worked in a hospital intensive care unit, several TB clinics, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital and on a prisoner unit. He was most recently employed by the Department of State Health Services, Bureau of STD/HIV Prevention, in a Quality Assurance capacity. Mr. Douglas will work at both 4C's Clinic sites.

Hogg Foundation Grant Award - The 4C’s has received a grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. This one time grant in the amount of $100,000 was awarded to provide direct service to those with mild to moderate mental illness. This grant will be used by the 4C’s to develop a case management program assist the 4C’s counselor in serving as many 4C’s patients as possible. The Foundation issued a Request for applications for their Special Mental Health Services Initiative grant program in December 2004. This grant was awarded by the foundation on April 12, 2005 and will be available on May 1, 2005.

Medication Re-writes - The 4C's Clinic has recently focused on improving services to those patients who require medication re-writes of previous prescriptions with no refills left. Each clinic site will have a dedicated nursing staff to expedite these requests. This person can be reached by phone, but only by transfer from an internal phone line such as from the pharmacy, the appointment desk, NurseLine or the front desk. It is expected that this limitation will prevent the staff from being overwhelmed by patients calling for other reasons. The goal is to turn requests for re-writes over within 24 hours. The staff will also be able to make appointments for the patients, per the provider's instructions. For those who are transferred to this phone line, voice mail will be available if the staff is away from the area and the call will be quickly returned.

GAAA Applies for Assistance to Firefighter's Grant - GAAA has applied for a federal grant to improve safety and additional equipment. The grant specifically addresses safety and equipment needs for it's off-shore air rescue program, however, the safety items and equipment will be used in the field for normal operations. Included are a new heart monitor with additional capabilities, a new ventilator, auto-pulse (a new technology mechanical CPR device), and nomex jumpsuits for flight crewmembers. A thanks goes to Assistant Chief Janet Hatch (409-765-2522), who prepared the grant. The grant totaled $61,468 of which $12,293 will be GAAA's matching funds. We expect to hear from Office of Domestic Preparedness by September. If awarded this grant, GAAA will add it to their 2005-2006 Capital Budget.

GAAA to Celebrate 30th Anniversary with collaborative health fair - Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m., GAAA along with Galveston County Champions of Children, Inc. will host a health and community fair at 4700 Broadway in Galveston. GAAA is celebrating National EMS Week and it's 30th year of service with the Health District.

EMS Crew makes a valiant effort to revive a 14 year old at Ball High School - On April 21, 2005, Galveston EMS responded to Ball High School for an unconscious student. Arriving three minutes after receiving the initial call they found Galveston ISD Police performing CPR. Paramedics Laurie Roth and Kim O'Rourke treated the patient with full advanced cardiac life support. The crew transported her to UTMB.

Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - conducted a site visit to the District February 15-17 to assess the Family Planning, Texas Health Steps (preventive visits for children), Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Services, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs. In a report recently received from DSHS we learned that the WIC program has been taken off probation, although there are a few continuing improvements to be made. The other services also have several improvements to make, including a change to requiring parental consent for young people seeking Title XX Family Planning Services. Staffs are working on a Plan of Correction for each specified area of improvement, due May 10th.

Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative - met on Thursday, April 14th, to discuss the response to the BP Explosion that occurred on March 23rd. Robert Ebert, from the Texas City Fire Department, provided information about the role of the Texas City Hazardous Materials Response Team in responding to industrial and biological incidents. The group then identified what went well, what could be improved and the lessons learned from the incident. As a result of this discussion, the group will work to understand each others roles in disaster response and will seek to integrate emergency plans among member agencies. At the conclusion of the GCERC meeting the Health District hosted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) satellite broadcast titled, “Mass Antibiotic Dispensing: Streamlining the Process”. The broadcast, which was attended by Health District and area hospital personnel, provided information in how to plan mass antibiotic dispensing clinics to achieve the greatest efficiency.

Emergency Generators & Radios - The Health District received tentative approval from the Texas Department of State Health Services for $132,777 in funds to purchase an emergency generator and two handheld radios. If final approval from the CDC is received, the generator, operated by natural gas, would provide electricity to the Kemmerer Building in La Marque in the event of a power outage. The two radios would provide additional Health District personnel the capacity to communicate with response partners throughout the county in the event of an emergency.

Volunteers Office - During the month of April, 24 volunteers were recruited and assigned to various departments throughout the health district. A volunteer appreciation reception was given in honor of our volunteers for their services and time given to the health district during 2004. Attendees included elected officials, governing board members, Senior Health Advisory Council members, and a host of health district employees. Shirley Carr, Volunteer Coordinator, attended an in-service on April 14th at the County Extension Agency in Dickinson, Texas. The purpose of the in-service was to review the curriculum “The Healthy Harvest”, a community outreach program, designed to teach seniors safe handling of fresh fruits and vegetables. Volunteers will present the curriculum at the Senior Citizen Centers from Galveston County Extension Agency and volunteers from the health district, under the leadership and training of Shirley Carr. This collaborative project will start May 2nd. Shirley Carr will serve on the Advisory Board of a newly organized senior group at United Methodist Church in La-Marque, Texas. This is an opportunity to recruit senior volunteers and also to be a referral resource for those without a medical home and assisting them with other services as identified.

Galveston County Commissioners Court - On April 4, 2005, Dr. Guidry provided the Commissioners Court the Strategic Health Plan Progress Report 2004 during their workshop. The Judge thanked Dr. Guidry for the presentation and also for the leadership of moving forward with the Health Plan. The Judge also sent congratulations to staff assisting in implementing the Plan.

Contract with de Pasquel Pharmacy was renewed in April 2005 for a period of one year to continue providing pharmacy services to our 4C’s clinic patients.