issue 07-10
October 2007
Inside this issue …
HCA & USPS prepare for emergencies
HCA’s Health Disaster Management Division held a 2007 Biohazard Detection System (BDS) exercise on Sept. 12 with the Santa Ana United States Postal Service (USPS) to test its response to a possible terrorist attack.
The USPS has the capability of detecting aerosolized anthrax spores released from letters during mail processing through the BDS system. HCA’s role in the event of a BDS alarm is to reduce or eliminate negative health effects to individuals potentially exposed to anthrax spores.
In response to an alarm, HCA in coordination with the USPS, Costa Mesa Fire Dept., Santa Ana Fire Dept., Santa Ana Police and Terrorism Early Warning Group, establish a decontamination and Point of Dispensing (POD) site. The purpose of the site is to decontaminate individuals exposed to anthrax and dispense medication to the exposed employees. HCA also provides assistance in lab testing the anthrax material obtained during a BDS alarm.
During the Sept. 12 exercise, 2007 BDS Rapid Response Team (RRT) members set up the POD site in record time and dispensed medication bottles at a rate of 150 people per hour.
USPS Management was impressed with HCA’s response, reporting that the HCA BDS Team was the best that they have seen in the Western region.
Biohazard Detection System (BDS) Rapid Response Team members set-up a Point of Dispensing (POD) site to provide prophylaxis to USPS employees during a BDS exercise held on Sept. 12.
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Community Service Center launched
A new concept in delivering services to Orange County residents debuted Monday, October 1st with the opening of a County Community Service Center located at 15460 Magnolia Street in Westminster.
The Community Service Center was the idea of First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen, who welcomed visitors on the Center’s first day of operation and joined with other County and local officials in cutting a ceremonial ribbon to mark the facility’s opening. The service center will provide a location away from the Civic Center for First District residents to seek information from the Health Care Agency, Social Services Agency, Housing and Community Development and other County Agencies.
HCA Director Julie Poulson participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Also in attendance were Dr. Eric Handler, County Health Officer; Donna Fleming, Chief of Public Health Operations; and Dr. Clayton Chau, Behavioral Health Services psychiatrist.
The Center is considered a pilot project to determine the need for a satellite facility. The Board of Supervisors will review the project after its first year of operation and will determine whether the Center is financed for continued operation.
Pictured (left to right) are Dr. Clayton Chau, Agency Director Julie Poulson, Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Dr. Eric Handler.
County and local officials participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of the County Community Service Center located in Westminster.
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Leadership Development Program receives feedback
Since its rollout in January 2007, HCA’s Leadership Development Program received over 250 applications for participation during its first semester of courses, achieving its goal to have 10% of the agency participate. By the Program’s third Orientation meeting, classes were full and extra sessions were added to meet the demand. As the Program begins its second semester, participants complete the core courses in preparation for a graduation ceremony to be held in January 2008. Excerpts from participant evaluations regarding course content and application of key concepts on the job are reflected below, with the writers’ permission.
Providing Customer Service In a Regulatory World
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“The course allowed us to practice real life scenarios. I liked that the material not only focused on providing excellent service to our customers, but also focused on how to treat coworkers.” David Castellanos/IT
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“These tools/concepts are working out great. I have found that now I am paying more attention to others’ needs.” Maria Corona/QM
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“I have particularly found the four steps of creating collaborative influence very helpful on a daily basis. I believe customers feel better about themselves when they are treated appropriately and I feel better about myself when I perceive myself to have handled a situation well.” Frances Garfias/BHS CYS
What To Do When Conflict Happens
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“’Define the Issue’ was the easiest … to utilize. ‘When There’s No Time To Plan’ was a fantastic skill to have learned. I was a conflict avoider before taking this training. Learning these skills has actually helped my assertion skills.” Cheryl Seitter/BHS REACH Program
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“Sometimes, how I respond to others is more important than getting the other person to change. I think I am happier in my job. I realize that sometimes the only person that can change is myself. My reactions are the only area that I can control.” Carl Kerckhoff/BHS CYS
Mission Possible: Navigating the Mind Fields of Change
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“Every time an adverse change comes my way, I look at the big picture and find a way it can benefit me…” Larry Brennler/EHS
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“Testing some of my thoughts and beliefs before I act … can help from turning a ‘mole hill into a mountain,’ and potentially causing damage that you can’t recover from. Great results. I feel better, … am not resentful, and has helped to open better communication with staff.” Jennifer Bernsen/QM
Understanding Yourself and Others
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“Now I have an understanding of why I do what I do and how it affects my relationships with staff—I can improve my relationships.” Jean Brayer/QM
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
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“The information provided was very practical and could be utilized in both a professional and personal capacity. … to date I have regularly practiced four of the seven habits. Three of the habits I need to work on and have been doing so with good results.” Nancy Robins/BHS Project Together
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“It was extremely useful in all areas of my life, not just work. I review my mission statement weekly, plan my calendar and schedule the ‘big rocks.’” Dianne Martinez/EHS
Preparing For Promotion
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“Extremely valuable … tips on preparing for the interview and [the concept] to view each day as an informal interview. I have focused more on the importance of my daily responsibilities as a positive way to show consistency and reliability.” Carla Parmeter/BHS/Long Term Care
Preparing For Supervision
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“I developed a greater appreciation for the supervisor’s role and how challenging these positions can be. I will work with an eye toward making my supervisor’s position easier. I am volunteering for tasks whenever required.” Carl Kerckhoff/BHS CYS
Business Writing For Results
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“Extremely valuable. … [I learned] word economy, reader benefit, and visual punch for emails.” Dianne Martinez/EHS
Basic Writing Skills
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“We learned so many valuable concepts, like the correct way to draft a business letter and knowing where to put good news and bad news. My letters are much more clear as I know why I am writing, what I want to say, and who [the readers are].” Fran Miller/PH Epi
Interested employees who have passed new employee probation are encouraged to participate by completing the request form online at
http://balsam/intranet/hr/tsd. Open enrollment in the Leadership Development Program is continuous throughout the year, with Orientation meetings scheduled on demand.
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2007 Annual Compliance Training
Are you ready for some compliance training? Yes, it’s that time of year again and HCA will begin its annual Compliance Training in the near future!
Look for a letter from HCA Director Julie Poulson providing additional details of this important training effort, and an e-mail from the Chief Compliance Officer, Jeff Nagel, detailing how to link to the training.
The training will be available online so if you do not have access to a computer, please contact the Office of Compliance at the number below. Annual training is mandatory for HCA’s regular, extra-help and contract employees.
This year’s training focuses on (1) legal obligations that HCA must follow, (2) Elements of the Compliance Program, (3) the revised Code of Conduct, and (4) HIPAA Privacy and Security.
If you have any questions about Compliance training, contact the HCA Office of Compliance at (714) 568-5614.
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Quote
The good is the greatest rival of the best.
—Nellie L. McClung
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Re-introducing HCA’s LMC Workplace Enhancement Subcommittee
Does your workplace need enhancement? If so, the HCA-OCEA Labor Management Committee (LMC) Workplace Enhancement Subcommittee is here
to help!
The Workplace Enhancement Subcommittee (WES) was created by the LMC to facilitate creative workplace solutions to items submitted by HCA staff. The following are some examples that WES has helped to facilitate within HCA:
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Designated a building parking and entry area as smoke-free
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Worked with Agency Director Julie Poulson to develop a voluntary smoke-free premises policy for all HCA buildings
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Retained reserved parking spaces within a parking structure for assigned employees who had difficulty being blocked in or unable to use them, and assisted in the redeployment of a parking attendant
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Increased office space for HCA employees at a jail facility
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Eliminated a foul odor from an X-ray room at the 17th Street Clinic
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Facilitated control of a rodent population in the jail by exterminators
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Posted signs at the 17th Street Clinic to make finding parking easier
How to Submit a Workplace Enhancement Request:
Submitting an item to the WES is easy! Visit
http://balsam/intranet/lmc/issues.asp to access the Workplace Enhancement Solutions Form on the LMC website. Completed forms can be mailed to OCEA at 830 N. Ross St. Santa Ana, 92701 or to HCA HR in Bldg. 38-AE, or be given to any LMC member (a current member roster with contact information is available online). Enhancement items may be submitted anonymously.
Workplace Enhancements/Solutions Forms received by the LMC that contain issues involving multiple agencies will be reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate forum.
To learn more about past items the WES has addressed, click on
http://balsam/intranet/lmc/issuesindex.asp and review the Workplace Issues Index.
It would NOT be appropriate to submit a workplace enhancement to the LMC if the following criteria apply:
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Issues concerning only one employee (examples: evaluations, PIP awards, disciplinary actions or interactions with fellow employees)
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Issues involving the classification of one or more employees (including reclassification issues)
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Suspected violations of the Code of Conduct, operational policies, laws or regulations which should be reported to HCA’s Office of Compliance
The LMC is always seeking new enthusiastic members. If you are interested in joining, please apply at
www.ochealthinfo.com/admin/lmc/application.asp.
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Poll Workers Needed
It’s election season once again in Orange County, and several elections are just around the corner. The Registrar of Voters is currently seeking election day workers for the upcoming Presidential Primary scheduled on February 5, 2008.
As County employees, HCA staff have the opportunity to volunteer at a polling place or serve in the field as a coordinator and participate in the democratic election process. Your efforts can help ensure that the County’s elections will take place with the highest degree of professionalism and accuracy.
Bilingual poll workers are especially needed. For more information on eligibility, responsibilities, training, time commitment and compensation visit www.ocvote.com/county or call the Registrar of Voters office at (714) 567-7575. Prior to registering, please obtain approval from your manager or supervisor.
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Quote
Behold the turtle, he only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.
—James B. Conant
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Pollution Prevention Week 2007 celebrated
Along with several other County agencies and businesses, HCA’s Environmental Health Division participated in this year’s Pollution Prevention Fair held at the County Hall of Administration Plaza on Sept. 19 to celebrate Pollution Prevention Week from Sept. 17-23, 2007.
Visitors at the event learned how different organizations were doing their part in preventing pollution, as well as learned how to personally prevent pollution in their homes and in the environment.
Celebrated during the third full week in September each year, Pollution Prevention Week is an opportunity for individuals, businesses and government to emphasize and highlight their pollution prevention and sustainability activities and achievements, expand current pollution prevention efforts, and commit to new actions.
For more information about Pollution Prevention Week or to learn more about what you can do to help reduce waste and support pollution prevention, visit the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable online at
www.p2.org/p2week/index.cfm.
Environmental Health staff pictured (left to right) Royce Long, Bob Held and Christine Lane participated in Pollution Prevention Fair 2007 held at the County Hall of Administration Plaza on Sept. 19 to celebrate Pollution Prevention Week 17-23, 2007. Booth visitors received information regarding the used oil recycling program.
HCA staff member Sandy Viernes visited the Integrated Waste Management District (IWMD) booth to learn about proper battery disposal, as well as locations of the County’s hazardous waste collection centers for disposal of household items.
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Time Card FAQs
Who is responsible to record hours on the timecard?
Both the employee and supervisor are responsible for ensuring the employee’s timecard is completed accurately and correctly. As a legal document, the timecard must reflect accurate hours worked and leave balances used. Also, appropriate and valid pay codes and job codes must be used. By submitting the timecard to the supervisor, the employee is certifying that, to the best of his/her knowledge, the information contained is true and correct. The same applies to the supervisor submitting employee timecards to Payroll.
How often can I post my time worked on my timecard?
It is strongly suggested that employees post their time daily. Doing so otherwise may result in time being recorded incorrectly due to an oversight of time taken for leaving early, coming in late, being sick, etc.
When should I submit my timecard?
Follow the established policy within your unit. Otherwise, employees should submit timecards to their supervisors no earlier than during the last scheduled shift of the pay period. All approved timecards must be submitted by supervisors by 10 a.m. of non-pay week Thursday.
Can my supervisor complete my timecard on my behalf?
Under certain circumstances, such as when an employee is out sick or on leave on the date the timecard is due for submission, the supervisor can and should complete and submit the employee’s timecard.
What will happen if my supervisor is not in the office on the date my timecard is due?
Each supervisor is required to assign back-up supervisors in Virtual Timecard Interface (VTI). These back-up supervisors have access to the supervisor’s employees’ timecards in order to complete and/or approve timecards when needed. Generally, the supervisor will request one of the back-up supervisors to approve the supervisor’s staff timecards when, for example, the supervisor will be on vacation. If the supervisor is unexpectedly absent, Payroll will contact one of the back-ups to approve timecards if the supervisor’s manager hasn’t already done so.
For more information, contact HCA Payroll by e-mail at
hcapayroll@ochca.com or by phone at (714) 834-5744; 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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HCA Pharmacists recognized during Pharmacy Week 2007
Celebrated each year during the month of October, National Hospital and Health System Pharmacy Week from Oct. 21-27, 2007 recognizes pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who provide care in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications.
The role of the pharmacist has evolved over the years. Back in 1970, there were only 650 medications on the market, and today there are more than 10,000. Because of this medication explosion, the aging population, and the average adult taking five or more medications, the pharmacist is a welcomed resource to evaluate the best generic equivalents and to also recommend cost saving therapeutic interchange.
One of the best kept secrets in HCA involves a small but mighty group of seven pharmacists (one director, two chief pharmacists and four pharmacists), seven contract pharmacists and six pharmacy technicians. These pharmacists provide care for several HCA programs, which include Institutional Health Services,Public Health Services Health Disaster Management Division, and Public Health Pulmonary Disease Services Direct Observed Therapy Program.
Within the Orange County jail system, which is the 8th largest jail nationally, pharmacists participate in dispensing and medication monitoring for the inmates housed at the Central Jail Complex, Theo Lacy facility and Juvenile Health Services Clinic and Camps.
HCA’s Health Disaster Management Division also employs a pharmacist to maintain compliance with state and local pharmacy laws and regulations, as well as to prepare and maintain a cache of pharmaceutical antidotes and antibiotics for first responders during an emergency.
HCA joins Dr. Erenia Perry, Director of Pharmacy Services; Bob Grim, Theo Lacy and Juvenile Heath Services Clinics and Camps Chief Pharmacist; and Dr. Mark Chew, Public Health Services Health Disaster Management Division Chief Pharmacist in acknowledging and celebrating the many achievements and dedication of all County pharmacists and pharmacy technicians during National Pharmacy Week 2007.
For more information about National Hospital and Health System Pharmacy Week, visit the American Society of Health System Pharmacists website at
www.ashp.org.
Dr. Mark Chew is pictured with a cache of pharmaceutical antidotes and antibiotics for use during an emergency or disaster.
Central Jail Pharmacy staff pictured
(back row, left to right) include Erica Thai, Pharmacist; Mike Iwai, Pharmacist;
and Maria Zamora, Pharmacy Technician.
Theo Lacy Pharmacy staff pictured
(left to right) include Ken Kawamura, Pharmacist; Bob Grim, Chief Pharmacist; Safta Pislaru, Pharmacy Technician; Aileen Franzi, Pharmacy Technician; and Kris Desai, Pharmacy Technician. Not pictured is Jean Masuo, Pharmacist.
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November Health Observances
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American Diabetes Month
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Jaw Joints – TMJ Awareness Month
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Lung Cancer Awareness Month
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National Family Caregivers Month
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National Healthy Skin Month
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National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
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Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month
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Great American Smokeout, 15
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week
,18-24
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HCA Executive Team United Way lunch
HCA’s Executive Team donned their favorite sport’s team wear and served up Jerry’s Wood Fired hot dogs and fixings during the “Come Tailgate with HCA Varsity All Stars” United Way lunch fundraiser held on Sept. 13 at the Civic Center Plaza.
Collage of pictures from United
Way Lunch Fundraiser.
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OC Idol 2007 takes center stage
Seven HCA employees – Rick Dale, Ryan Drabek, Daniel Gray, Janis McBride, Preston Kirby Smith, Nick Salazar and April Thornton – and Venessa Salim from the Auditor Controller Department, took center stage to compete and perform a variety of songs at the annual 2007 United Way OC Idol competition.
The competition took place on Sept. 19 & 26, and Oct. 3 at the Board Hearing Room at the County Hall of Administration where judges Agency Director Julie Poulson, Family Heath Division Manager Tony Edmonds and Eric Norby, Chief of Staff for Supervisor Chris Norby, provided comments and suggestions to each competitor after their performances.
Four winners of the first round then moved on to the next round of competition, culminating in the top two finalists who competed on Oct. 3, where Ryan Drabek from Animal Care Services was named the winner of the 2007 OC Idol competition.
Thank you to all OC Idol 2007 contestants in helping to make this a successful event for this year’s United Way fundraising campaign!
Pictured (front row, left to right) are Margie Soto, Pharmacy Technician; Jena Mehta, Pharmacy Technician; and Erenia Perry, Director of Pharmacy Services.
(Top row, left to right) April Thornton, Behavioral Health Services; Daniel Gray, Behavioral Health Services; Janis McBride, Environmental Health; Nick Salazar, Public Health Services. (Bottom row, left to right) Preston Kirby Smith, Public Health Services; Rick Dale, Behavioral Health Services; Venessa Salim, Auditor Controller; Ryan Drabek, Animal Care Services.
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Quote
Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open.
—James Dewar
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Cultural Competency Spotlight on Excellence
The September 2007 Cultural Competency Spotlight on Excellence Award was presented to Barbara Greenfield, Service Chief with the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Program during a Sept. 26 Orange County Mental Health Board meeting.
Barbara began her County career as a Social Worker with Drug Abuse Services in 1976. Over the years she has worked in several different departments including the Continuing Care Mental Health and Board and Care Placement Services Unit; Forensic AB 1229 Program; Social Services Foster Care Long Term Placement Unit; and the Quality Review and Training Unit.
She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Goodwill Employment WORKS Program, and as Service Chief for MHSA, is now overseeing and is involved in the start-up process for the program’s outreach and engagement contracts that will serve the Asian Pacific Islander and Latino communities.
As Service Chief for these two start-up programs, she is responsible for program development, hiring County staff, training staff and educating the community regarding the benefits of these MHSA programs.
Pictured (left to right) are Hanh Truong from the Cultural Competency Program and Barbara Greenfield.
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Refugee Preventive Health earns award
Congratulations to HCA Refugee Preventive Health Services (RPHS) on receiving a Civic Service Honor Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and the National Center for Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases for the program’s demonstration of scientific excellence in preventing the importation of diseases into the United States during an overseas polio outbreak.
On Oct. 16, 2006, the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received confirmation that one case of poliomyelitis due to wild polio virus type I occurred in a 3-year-old Somali girl living in a refugee camp in the Dadaad area in Kenya. The child became ill on Sept. 18, 2006.
To prevent importation of this disease into the U.S. and to protect the health and welfare of newly arrived refugees, the CDC developed recommendations for implementation domestically (for refugees who arrived in the U.S. from Sept. 1 through Oct. 16, 2006) and oversees (for refugees currently in the Dadaab area camps or the Nairobi transit center awaiting resettlement into the U.S.).
Locally in Orange County, a family of 11 (2 parents and 9 children) arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 26, 2006. They were processed through the Nairobi refugee transit center and stated that they were not close contacts of the polio case, however, noted that they had heard of the case.
RPHS staff received recognition for their contributions in identifying the family of 11 refugees who arrived in the County during the specified timeframe; interviewing the refugees to determine if they could have had exposure to the polio case; developing a screening tool to assess for signs and symptoms of polio; providing any needed polio injections; performing physical examinations on the refugees and tracking the screening results and reporting findings to the State.
Refugee Preventive Health Services staff are pictured (left to right) Mike Carson, Benjamin Nguyen, Anna Marie Ponce, Ha Nguyen, Loann Phan, Randee Bautista and Dr. Roopa Viraraghavan.
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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
Pony Bldg. 38-S, 4th Floor
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