What's Up Newsletter

The Health Care Agency commends Mike Spurgeon, Regulatory Health Services Deputy Agency Director on his years of dedicated service to the County, and offers him best wishes on his recent retirement from the Agency.

To wish him well, a “Last Round-Up” event was held on Aug. 23 at the Embassy Suites in Santa Ana and featured guest speakers HCA Director Julie Poulson and Assistant Director Dave Riley, as well as an Assembly resolution presentation by Assemblyman Todd Spitzer and a performance by the Good, the Bad and the Bambi.

Those in attendance enjoyed a Wild West themed meal as they viewed a video reflecting on Mike’s career which also showcased messages and sentiments from several HCA managers, former Board of Supervisors and the Orange City Council to name a few.

In addition to the event, Mike also received a resolution from the Orange County Board of Supervisors during a meeting held on Aug. 21 commending him on his retirement.
HCA congratulates Mike and wishes him well as he embarks on his new journey into retirement.

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer presented an Assembly resolution to Mike during the “Last Round-Up” event congratulating him on his years of dedicated County service. Also pictured is Chip Monaco from the Integrated Waste Management District.

Agency Director Julie Poulson and Municipal/Community Relations Manager Holly Veale donned their western themed outfits during the event as they congratulated Mike on his retirement.

During an Aug. 23 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Moorlach presented John “Mike” Spurgeon with a resolution commending him on his retirement.

Performing a Mike Spurgeon version of the song“9 to 5,” the Good., the Bad and the Bambi entertained attendees during the “Last Round-Up” event at the Embassy Suites. Members of the group include Lisa Bauer, Thea Bullock, Christine Caudill, Alice Moore, Becky Robinson, Teri Schultz and David Thiessen.

Mike and his family enjoy a Wild West themed meal during a “Last Round-Up” event held on August 23 at the Embassy Suites in Santa Ana.

Behavioral Health’s Cultural Competency Program hosted an open house on Aug. 22 to provide an opportunity for visitors to meet new program staff, as well as tour their offices, learn more about the program and services offered and sample ethnic cuisine.

The event welcomed new staff members Minh-Ha Pham and Sergio Ventura, as well as returning staff members Hanh Truong and Christy Castiglione.

Open house attendees were greeted by Ronnie Kelley and Rafael Canul as the sounds of music played in the background at the program’s offices located at the 405 W. 5th Street building, suite 400 in Santa Ana.

While touring the office, visitors also had the opportunity to sample various foods including Filipino noodles, Vietnamese egg rolls, salad and fried rice, as well as Spanish rice, beans and carnitas.

For more information about Cultural Competency, visit the program’s website at www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cultural/home.htm or call (714) 796-0188..

Sergio Ventura, Minh-Ha Pham and Christy Castiglione served attendees a sampling of the ethnic cuisine offered during an open house held at the program’s offices located at the 405 W. 5th Street building, suite 400 in Santa Ana.

Cultural Competency staff gathered for a group photo during the program’s open house held on Aug. 22. Pictured (left to right) are Sergio Ventura, Rafael Canul, Minh-Ha Pham, Christy Castiglione, Hanh Truong and Ronnie Kelley.

Health Care employees are invited to attend the 2007 HCA Infection Prevention Fair which will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HCA Public Health Education Center located at 1725 W. 17th St. (Training Bldg. 1729E in back parking lot) in Santa Ana. The goal of the event is to increase health care worker safety through promotion of infection prevention practices and products.

The Fair will be hosted by HCA Employee Health Services and Public Health Nursing. Free flu vaccine will be offered to all HCA employees. There will be vendors displaying and demonstrating the latest infection prevention products including sharps safety equipment and disposals; hand sanitizers; disinfection and cleaners; and personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, etc.). In addition, information will be available on respirator fit testing and infection prevention training videos, as well as various educational materials.

For more information about the Infection Prevention Fair, contact HCA Employee Health Services at (714) 834-5974.

The annual HCA safety training is now available online at www.ochealthinfo.com/safetytraining through October 16. The training incorporates the four basic training programs required of all Health Care Agency employees and includes the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Emergency Action Plan, Fire Prevention Plan and the Hazard Communication Plan.

When accessing the online training, please note that an additional field on the screen associated with the “Certificate of Completion” form requires that you enter your unique Employee ID number in order to receive credit for course completion. Your ID number is the same six digit number used to access the County Paystub Application website and Virtual Time Interface (VTI). Be sure to print a completion certificate to keep for your records and for submission to your supervisor.

For employees who do not have access to a computer, a classroom session will be offered later in the year. For more information about the training, contact Elsa Davis, HCA Safety Program Manager at (714) 834-8759 or by e-mail at SafteyProgram@ochca.com.

On the National agenda

Senators Leahy and Kennedy have proposed legislation, known as the Health Information Privacy and Security Act of 2007, to tighten the HIPAA Privacy Rules. While this is only proposed legislation at this time, it represents one piece of the ongoing debate regarding healthcare privacy. The following link to Senator Leahy’s site has information on the proposed changes: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200707/071807c.html.

Shortly before the HIPAA National Provider Identifier Rule (NPI) deadline in May 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a statement allowing covered entities to invoke contingency plans after May 23, 2007. This contingency was put in place to minimize potential disruption to cash flow for health care organizations that were unable to fully comply with the NPI rule. More information can be found at the CMS site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPI_Contingency.pdf

On the Orange County agenda

On the Health Care Agency agenda

The NPI rule requires the adoption of a standard unique identifier for health care providers (for both organizations and individuals). HCA has received all NPI numbers necessary to submit claims, and is using these new identifiers where possible. All new employees who provide billable services in their new assignment are being given direction and support by our Human Resources department for applying for and sharing their NPI number as needed. As a reminder to providers, CMS has urged all individual providers to log in to the NPPES NPI application database to review their application data. Certain information in the database will be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Annual HIPAA Self-Assessment has now begun. Each year, as part of HCA’s Compliance Work Plan, an assessment is completed by all clinics/sites that are covered by HIPAA. The purpose of this review is to determine HCA’s overall compliance with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and to identify opportunities for improvement throughout the Agency. This year’s assessment targets those areas in HIPAA that are at highest risk of review in an external audit. Agency efforts to meet our obligation to comply with the HIPAA regulations have been evident in the outcome of past assessments.

The HCA Compliance Program offers a confidential telephone hotline to voice your concerns about any situation that may conflict with Compliance Program principles. You may call the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: (866) 260-5636

The California Emergency Services Association (CESA), a nationally recognized group of professional emergency managers, selected the Orange County Medical Reserve Corps. (OCMRC) and its coordinator Peggy McCormick as the recipient of its Public Sector Gold Award for outstanding service in emergency management.

The OCMRC is a team of 450 volunteer medical professionals who can readily mobilize to respond to a major emergency or disaster, whether man-made or natural, when the existing health infrastructure is overwhelmed and unable to provide needed medical care in a timely manner.

Peggy has served as the MRC Coordinator since February 2005 and is a recognized leader in MRC development. She has presented at numerous local, state and national conferences and traveled to Utah and Colorado to provide guidance to other MRC coordinators seeking to develop new MRC teams.

Earlier this year, the OCMRC received the National Association of Counties Achievement Award in recognition of an effective and innovative program that contributes to and enhances county government in the United States. The OCMRC is a vital resource ready to respond in support of Orange County’s disaster response assets.

Actively involved in community events and exercises, the OCMRC recently participated in the State’s annual Rough & Ready 2007 disaster exercise. MRC volunteers from Orange County joined other MRC members from throughout the state in providing simulated field triage and support to first responders.

Congratulations to both Peggy and the OCMRC for garnering national recognition for HCA’s emergency preparedness achievements. For more information about the OCMRC or for medical professionals interested in learning more about volunteering, contact Peggy McCormick at (714) 834-2335 or by e-mail at pmccormick@ochca.com.

Every year, Red Ribbon Week is celebrated during the last week of October in thousands of communities and schools across the country to raise awareness of community and school based prevention programs regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in our schools, work places, and communities. The National Red Ribbon Campaign was sparked by the murder of Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena by drug traffickers in 1985.

This year, Orange County has developed its own Red Ribbon Week theme: “Speak Out! Take a Stand for Healthy Choices.”

The development of the theme was a collaborative effort throughout Orange County led by the Health Care Agency’s Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team (ADEPT) and the Prevention Coalition of Orange County. Another product of their collaboration is the Red Ribbon Community Toolkit which is designed to create successful Red Ribbon Campaigns, promote alcohol and other drug prevention throughout the year, and connect schools and communities.

In conjuction, the Health Care Agency’s ADEPT program is offering Red Ribbon Campaign training sessions designed for parents, teachers, community partners, and youth who are interested in conducting meaningful alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) related activities in schools and communities during Red Ribbon Week and throughout the year. The trainings are currently underway and continue throughout September and into early October. Don’t miss the opportunity! Dates, times, and registration information can be found on the ADEPT website at www.ochealthinfo.com/adept/red-ribbon/trainings.htm.

For more information on the Red Ribbon Campaign and the Red Ribbon Community Toolkit, contact Marilyn Pritchard, ADEPT Program Manager at (714) 834-3547, or visit the ADEPT website at www.ochealthinfo.com/adept.

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Human beings like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection.

Each year during the month of August, World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7) is celebrated in more than 120 countries. In conjunction with this event, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed August 2007 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month and urged Californians to educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding so that they may become active supporters for breastfeeding mothers.

To commemorate the occasion locally, HCA Nutrition Services Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program sponsored numerous activities, using this year’s theme “Breastfeeding – The 1st Hour: Welcome Baby Softly.” Among the activities held, breastfeeding displays were created in all HCA WIC clinics and at the reception area and staff lounge of the 17th Street facility, as well as the County Hall of Administration.

One of the highlights of the month-long activities included a series of breastfeeding fairs held at four WIC clinics which provide peer counseling. Hosted by WIC Peer Counseling services, the fairs featured displays on breastfeeding topics, as well as personal interaction with Peer Counselors and Certified Lactation Consultants.

WIC staff also collaborated with more than 50 local libraries to promote breastfeeding. Both County and City libraries received a donated children’s book to add to their collection, along with a comprehensive breastfeeding resource list and Breastfeeding Awareness Month materials to display during August.

To provide outreach to obstetric and pediatric physicians, WIC staff worked alongside Community Field Nursing and visited doctors at local offices to provide up-to-date breastfeeding resources and promotional materials that can assist them in supporting breastfeeding among their patients.

For more information or to assist Nutrition Services/WIC in promoting and supporting breastfeeding, call (714) 834-7986. Those who have questions or need assistance with breastfeeding can call the Nutrition Services Breastfeeding Helpline at (714) 834-8363.

Public Health Community Nursing along with support from Nutrition Services/WIC created a Breastfeeding Awareness Month exhibit at the Hall of Administration which was displayed during the month of August. Pictured (left to right) are Delia Aponte, Gina Navarro, Yessenia Garcia and Margie Carrigan.

Staff at the Westminster WIC Clinic created a display at their offices to celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Pictured (left to right) are Luyen Bui and Debbie Melvin.

Orange County (OC) Idol Finals
The annual OC Finals will be held on Oct. 3 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the County Hall of Administration. Plan to attend and vote for your favorite contestants. The audience admission fee is $5 and includes a voting ballot. Additional voting ballots will also be available for $5. For more information, contact Laura Sudlow at (714) 834-8245 or by e-mail at lsudlow@ochca.com.

Golf Tournament
The 9th annual Orange County Employees’ United Way Golf Tournament will be held on Oct. 8 at the Green River Golf Course in Corona. Check-in time begins at 7 a.m. and cost to enter per player is $125. For more information, contact Gabriela Thatcher from the Social Services Agency at (714) 704-8849.

Civic Center Kick-Off
The 2007 United Way kick-off “Pirates of the Pacific” themed event is planned to take place on Oct. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza. Come join in the festivities and visit HCA’s booth which will feature nachos and various other items for sale. County agencies will also offer other food and dessert items, opportunity drawings, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase various wares. For more information, contact Pat Martinez at (714) 834-2331 or by e-mail at pat.martinez@ocgov.com.

HCA Executive Team Silent Auction
The popular HCA Executive Team Silent Auction will take place from Oct. 22-25 at the 405 W. 5th Street building in Conference Room 433. The annual event will feature a variety of gift baskets designed and created by each division within HCA. Come see what themed baskets are available for bid this year! For more information, contact Prity Thanki at (714) 834-5522 or by e-mail at pthanki@ochca.com.

2008 Entertainment Books
HCA Administration and the MSI Division are selling Orange County ($35), Los Angeles ($25) and Inland Empire ($20) Entertainment Books. Save by using hundreds of discounts like 2 for 1 and 50% off coupons for a variety of activities including fine dining, casual restaurants, fast food, movies, sporting events, theme parks, local services, shopping, travel and more. To purchase books, contact Lynn Tang at (714) 834-2327 or Maggie Rawlins at (714) 834-2048.

Orange County “OC” Visors
HCA’s Health Promotion Division is currently taking pre-orders to purchase County of Orange “OC” visors. The “one size fits all” visors are $10 each, available in black only and come with an adjustable velcro closure. Each visor displays the wording “County of Orange” with “OC” printed in the center. Support United Way and purchase one for your friends and family! The deadline to submit an order is Oct. 22. For more information or to submit a pre-order, contact Laura Buscemi-Beebe at (714) 834-4187 or by e-mail at lbuscemi@ochca.com.

Emergency Preparedness Kits
Are you prepared? HCA’s Health Disaster Management Division is selling various preparedness items including office & desk kits; emergency kits in fanny packs and backpacks; family kits; a flashlight/lantern; weather radios and emergency chocolate. Kits range from $20-$130 and are available for viewing in room 301A at the 405 W. 5th Street building in Santa Ana. For more information, contact Rhonda Suite at (714) 834-6589 or by e-mail at rsuite@ochca.com.

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Orange County Animal Care Services’ (ACS) first “Forever Friends for Free” held on Aug. 18-19, proved to be a success with a total of 155 animals being adopted during the two-day weekend event.

Families, friends, and rescue groups filled the shelter in search of their own “forever friend” over the weekend. The number of animals who found forever homes included 92 dogs, 47 cats, 6 rabbits, two turtles and one iguana. The event was offered as a special promotion in response to generous donations received to support the animals at ACS.

Among those adopted were two animals including, “Patches” a 4-year old, male miniature poodle mix and “Felix” a 3-year old, domestic medium haired cat.

Patches came to ACS as a stray on July 23 with severe matting down to his skin. A group of dedicated ACS volunteers took notice of the hopeful look in his eyes and groomed him to increase his chances of adoption. On Sunday, Aug. 19 one of ACS’ adoption partner groups adopted Patches to give him a greater chance of finding a permanent home through their rescue group.

On June 16, Felix came to the shelter also as a stray and was overlooked many times by visitors of the shelter due to his large size and shyness in his kennel. After being featured in the Pet Directory for the Orange County Register on a weekly basis and also starring on KDOC’s Pet Place television show, he finally found his forever home on Saturday, Aug. 18.
Patches and Felix are just two of the 155 animals who contributed to the great success of ACS’ first ever “Forever Friends for Free.” To view animals that are currently available for adoption, visit the ACS website at www.ocpetinfo.com or visit the shelter located at 561 The City Drive South in Orange.

What’s UP is a newsletter for employees of the County of Orange, CA, Health Care Agency.

Editors
Tricia Landquist
Howard Sutter
Anne Fialcowitz

Phone (714) 834-6644
E-mail tlandquist@ochca.com
FAX (714) 834-7644
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