issue 07-11
November 2007
Inside this issue …
The 2007 Correctional Medical Services (CMS) Nursing Skills Fair took place during the month of October and offered an opportunity for CMS nurses to test skills related to standardized and operational procedures.
Cervical collar application, tuberculosis skin testing and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use were among some of the skills tested at the fair. These stations allowed nurses to get a hands-on approach on using specific equipment and strengthening their skills. Nurses in attendance were also able to fulfill their annual training requirements in suicide prevention, bloodborne pathogens/tuberculosis and respirator fit testing.
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HCA Radiology Techs recognized
Commemorated each year during the month of November, National Radiologic
Technology Week from Nov. 4-10, 2007 celebrates the importance of medical
imaging and radiation oncology and recognizes radiology technologists who use
diagnostic and therapeutic technology on a daily basis to care for patients.
At HCA, there are currently three Certified Radiologic Technologists within
Public Health Services who perform radiology services focused primarily on
pulmonary infectious diseases—tuberculosis. They perform from 7,000 to 10,000
exams per year and provide TB clearance for immigration/refugees and follow-up
for patients being treated for TB. The chest X-ray is the most common procedure
performed, but HCA technologists also participate in all general diagnostic
radiographic procedures as requested by the referring physician.
HCA technologists are also well trained in radiation safety and through the use
of newer technologies now offered by Public Health, are able to minimize the
necessary exposure to obtain a diagnostic image.
This year’s National Radiologic Technology Week theme, “The Guiding Vision in
Medicine,” recognizes those professionals who explore and innovate on a daily
basis while seeing inside the body to aid in healing the patient. A vital link
in patient care, radiologic technology provides the means by which pathologies
may be determined, treatment planned and administered, and patient health
restored.
For more information about Radiologic Technology Week, visit the American
Society of Radiologic Technologists website at
www.asrt.org.
HCA radiologists pictured (left to right) are Duane Nielsen, ARRT, CRT Program
Supervisor; Norma Guillen, CRT Staff Technologist at 17th St. Radiology; and
Tuan Nguyen, ARRT, CRT Staff Technologist at Westminster Radiology.
A message from Jamy Klein, HCA IT Security
Officer
As the Information Technology Security Officer for HCA, I am
responsible for implementing security measures to protect the sensitive
electronic information maintained by HCA programs. Many IT security measures can
be implemented with technical controls, such as firewalls or auto timeout.
Some security measures are not technically controlled and must be implemented by
individual users. This is where your help is required to keep HCA’s electronic
information secure. IT has developed a set of 10 Security P&Ps which are posted
on the Intranet at http://balsam/intranet/P&P/default5-7.asp, in Section V, P&Ps
6.01-6.10. In addition, IT has posted an employee handbook “Information Security
Handbook for Health Care Agency Employees, Contractors and Service Providers,”
which can be found on the HCA Information Technology website under Information
Security at
http://balsam/intranet/it/security/.
One security policy that merits special attention is P&P V-6.03, Computer
Network Passwords. Included in this policy statement are two points that bear
repeating:
User IDs and passwords must not be disclosed or shared with other users or
individuals, including co-workers and supervisors.
Passwords are not to be revealed to anyone over the telephone.
When an individual’s User ID and password are compromised, the HCA Network
becomes compromised. This is a security incident that must be reported to the IT
Helpdesk who forwards the report to the IT Security Team. The IT Security Team
investigates every reported security incident and follows up with a corrective
action recommendation or plan to address any findings.
Please review the IT Security P&Ps and the employee handbook. Working together
we can keep sensitive client and employee information secure. :
HIV in the Vietnamese community
Between 1997 and 2006, the proportion of cumulative AIDS cases among Asian and
Pacific Islanders (API) has increased from 1.7% (78 of 4,642) to 2.3% (159 of
6,948). In response to this slow but steady increase, the Health Care Agency’s
Office of HIV Planning and Coordination worked with Dr. Christopher Bui,
President of the Vietnamese Physicians Association of Southern California, to
co-sponsor a first-time educational dinner with the Association on Sept. 22,
2007. Over 100 members attended, including medical doctors, pharmacists,
dentists, and other medical professionals. In addition, Margie Rice, Mayor of
Westminster, and Frank Fry, Westminster City Councilmember, were also in
attendance.
With an increasing percentage of cumulative AIDS cases reported among API in
Orange County, and the Vietnamese community comprising the largest API group in
the county, this seminar was intended to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and support
providers’ efforts to more effectively screen, treat, and refer clients to
HIV/AIDS services. An overview of the dynamics of HIV transmission, HIV
epidemiology, and available community resources such as HIV testing and
HIV-related medical care were presented.
HCA staff members were the key presenters for the event. Dr. Clayton Chau, a
member of the HIV Planning Council and Associate Medical Director with HCA
Behavioral Health; Dr. Laura Salazar, Clinic Physician from the Public Health
Special Diseases Clinic; and Donna Fleming, Chief of Public Health Operations,
provided an overview of information and resources available to the community.
Dr. Charles Huynh from the Jeffrey Goodman Clinic of the Los Angeles Gay and
Lesbian Center also presented, providing information regarding issues related to
treating API living with HIV/AIDS.
A provider survey, intended to assess how HIV medical services are being
provided in the API community, was also distributed. A total of 63 surveys were
completed. If you are interested in the results of the survey or would like more
information on issues related to HIV in the API community, please contact
Calandra Park at (714) 834-7772.
Pictured (back row, left to right) are Dr. Christopher Bui and Donna Fleming.
Pictured (front row, left to right) are Charles Huynh, Dr. Laura Salazar and Dr.
Clayton Chau.
Public Health Nurses provide flu shotes
HCA Public Health nurses are actively involved in providing flu shots to the homeless in Orange County. Here, Susan Sullivan provides a flu shot at the Catholic Worker homeless shelter in Santa Ana, one of almost 60 given that day. Flu shots will be offered at other Orange County homeless shelters to help protect adults and children against seasonal influenza.
HCA hosts Infection Prevention Fair 2007
HCA Employee Health Services and Public Health Nursing hosted an Infection
Prevention Fair on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HCA Public Health
Education Center in Santa Ana to increase health care worker safety through
promotion of practices and products.
Free flu vaccine was also provided to HCA employees and vendors were on hand to
display and demonstrate the latest in infection prevention products which
included sharps safety equipment and disposals; hand sanitizers; disinfection
and cleaners; and personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves, etc.).
Attendees at the Infection Prevention Fair held on Oct. 16 at the Public Health
Education Center in Santa Ana had the opportunity to view the latest in
infection prevention products and take home some informational items. HCA
employees also had the opportunity to receive a free flu shot during the event.
Celebrate Nurse Practitioner Week
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners celebrates National Nurse
Practitioner Week November 11-17, 2007. At this time, HCA would like to honor
all of our dedicated Nurse Practitioners.
Nurse Practitioners are essential to the delivery of high-quality,
cost-effective, and personalized healthcare to people and populations across the
country. There are approximately 120,000 nurse practitioners currently
practicing in the United States, with around 6,000 more being prepared each
year. Nurse Practitioners have graduate and advanced education and training
beyond their initial registered nurse preparation. Nurse Practitioners not only
provide quality medical care, they also integrate health promotion, disease
prevention, counseling, and patient education to help patients understand their
complete health picture.
This week Nurse Practitioners will celebrate more than four decades of practice
and research. If you know a Nurse Practitioner, please take a moment during
National Nurse Practitioner Week to say “thank you.”
As the holidays approach we like to celebrate by entertaining friends and family, throwing parties, and preparing feasts. From the buffet table to the office party, food moves center stage throughout the holiday season. Be sure to keep food safe by following the basic food safety steps offered by the California Department of Health Services.
Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw foods, after using the toilet, after changing diapers and after handling pets. Dry hand with a clean, single-use paper towel. People with cuts or skin infections on their hands should not prepare food.
Thoroughly clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot, soapy water before and after each use. Knives, cutting boards and meat grinders should be washed thoroughly before using them for other foods.
Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables in clean sinks under running water and keep fruits and vegetables away from raw meats, poultry, eggs, fish and any other raw animal product.
When tasting food, ladle a small amount of it into a small dish and taste with a clean spoon. Remove the dish and spoon from the area and clean when finished.
Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry and seafood promptly
after purchase. Perishable items, such as eggs, fresh fruit juice
s
and pre-packaged fruits and vegetables, including salad mixes, must be
stored under refrigeration. Check “expiration” or “use by” dates before
consuming these products.
Prevent meat juices from spilling on and contaminating other foods or surfaces both at the market and at home. Refrigeration should be kept at 41° or colder.
Thaw frozen meat, poultry and seafood inside the refrigerator in its original wrapping. Thawing a moderate size turkey in this manner may take two to four days. If time does not permit a gradual thaw, place the frozen turkey in a watertight wrapper and immerse in cold – not hot or warm – water until the meat is pliable. Change the water every half hour.
Rinse poultry and seafood in cold water and drain well before cooking.
Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat is thoroughly cooked.
Turkey should be placed immediately in a preheated oven set no lower than 325°. Turkey, other poultry or ground poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165° to kill pathogens that may be present. To accurately measure temperature, insert a thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey thigh, but not against the bone. Turkey meat is thoroughly cooked when the hip joint moves easily and the juices run clear – not pink. Stuffing should be cooked separately and heated to an internal temperature of 165°.
When leftovers are eaten hot, they should be heated to at least 165° or until hot and steaming throughout.
Cooking times in microwaves may vary because ovens vary in
power and efficiency. Cooking whole, stuffed poultry in a microwave is not
recommended. Always use a thermometer to ensure foods are thoroughly cooked.
Stuffing might not reach the temperature needed to destroy harmful
bacterial. Foods cooked or reheated in microwaves should be stirred or
turned occasionally to ensure that all parts of the food are thoroughly
cooked. If using frozen meat, first microwave the meat until completely
thawed, then follow by cooking. If microwaving is not possible, allow at
least 1½ times the cooking time to ensure that the meat is sufficiently
cooked throughout.
Turkey should be refrigerated one of two ways: within two hours after it is cooked; or right after cooking, the turkey should be de-boned, sliced or pulled into pieces no more than 2½ inches thick and refrigerated in shallow containers. Store the meat, stuffing and stock in separate containers in the refrigerator or freezer.
Do not eat leftover meat that has been refrigerated for longer than four days or eat leftover stuffing or gravy that has been refrigerated for more than two days. If properly wrapped, leftover meat may be safely consumed after being frozen for one to three months.
Keep refrigerated all cream, custard and meringue pies and any other foods with custard filling, except when being served.
For further tips on meat and poultry preparation during the holiday season, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry website at www.fsis.usda.gov. More information and resources regarding safe food handling can be found on the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC” (bacteria) website at www.fightbac.org.
Influenza (flu) season has once again arrived in Orange County. The flu is a
significant cause of respiratory infection that can result in illness and even
death. However, vaccination against seasonal flu is effective in preventing
disease in most healthy people. The best time to receive the vaccination is in
October and
November, as the flu season often peaks near the end of December or
beginning of January and can last until April. The following are several options
for obtaining a vaccination.
Employee Health Services provides free flu vaccinations to County employees meeting the high-risk categories noted below and all HCA employees. Other County employees are offered the flu vaccine at a discounted rate of $11. Vaccinations are available at Employee Health Services located at 405 W. 5th St., Ste. 601 in Santa Ana from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and at select work sites. Pregnant women will receive or be referred for the thimerosal-free vaccine. For more information, contact Employee Health at (714) 834-5974.
The Public Health Immunization Program is providing free flu vaccinations at Family Health clinics if you are:
50 years of age and over
A health care worker
A pregnant woman during influenza season
Diagnosed with a chronic disease like heart disease, asthma or other lung disease
Diagnosed with a health condition that suppresses your immune or respiratory system
A caregiver or household contact of a child under 5 years or an adult over 50 years
A caregiver or household contact of a person with a medical condition that places him/her at higher risk of complications from flu
For more information, call the Health Care Agency Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/public/flu/index.htm.
Some County health plans provide
flu vaccinations free of charge to plan members. Please check with your health
plan to obtain information. Vaccinations are also available at a physician’s
offices and some pharmacies. Check online at
www.flucliniclocator.org for
listings in your area.
Practicing good health habits, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), are also an important way to help prevent the flu. They include:
Avoiding close contact—Avoid close contact with people who are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
Staying home when you are sick—If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Covering your mouth and nose—Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Cleaning your hands—Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth—Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
HCA celebrates United Way 2007
The County’s annual United Way fundraising campaign officially began this year with another well attended kick-off event held at the Hall of Administration on Oct. 10. This year, HCA served nachos and had a variety of items for sale including County logo polo shirts, Entertainment Books, Halloween themed balloon decorations, as well as scarves and ties. To help raise additional funds for this year’s campaign, the popular HCA Executive Basket Auction was also held from Oct. 22-25, where each program within HCA created baskets with many donated items which featured theatre and amusement park tickets, restaurant gift cards, DVDs, and unique themed outing and vacation excursions, to name a few.
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National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week, 1–7
National Handwashing Awareness Week, 2–8
World Aids Day, 1
Employees recognized for service years
HCA employees received recognition for their years of dedicated service at an Employee Recognition Awards ceremony held on Oct. 25 at the Hall of Administration. The following is a list of service awards presented:
5 Years of Service—16
10 Years of Service—27
15 Years of Service—13
20 Years of Service—8
25 Years of Service—5
25 Years
Celebrating 25 years of service, Carmen Franklin from Behavioral Health Services
received recognition from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief of Behavioral
Health Operations Mary Hale during the Employee Recognition Awards held on Oct.
25. Also pictured with Carmen are her husband and supervisor.
Public Health Services staff member Concepcion Mungia received recognition from
Agency Director Julie Poulson and Family Health Services Division Manager Tony
Edmonds for her 25 years of County service.
Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief of Behavioral Health Operations Mary
Hale congratulated Frank Zelarney from Behavioral Health Services for his 25
years of dedicated County service. Pictured along with Frank are his son and
grandson.
Manuel Robles from Behavioral Health Services received a 25-year certificate and
pin from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief of Behavioral Health Operations
Mary Hale to celebrate his 25 years of County service.
Howard Snitowsky from Environmental Health celebrated his 25 years of County
service during the Employee Recognition Awards held on Oct. 25 and received a
certificate and pin from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Family Health
Services Division Manager Tony Edmonds.
20 Years
Charles Peters from Environmental Health celebrated 20 years of County service
and received recognition from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Family Health
Services Division Manager Tony Edmonds during the Employee Recognition Awards
held on Oct. 25.
15 Years
Institutional Health Services staff member Patricia Wang celebrated 15 years of
County service during the Employee Recognition Awards on Oct. 25 and received
recognition from Agency Director Julie Poulson and IHS Division Manager Maureen
Robles.
Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief Information Officer Terri Schultz
presented Stephanie Weckerle with a certificate and pin to commemorate her 15
years of County service.
Environmental Health staff member Sha Rashidi-Fard celebrated 15 years of County
service and received a certificate and pin from Agency Director Julie Poulson
and Family Health Services Division Manager Tony Edmonds to commemorate the
occasion.
10 Years
Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief Information Officer Teri Schultz
presented Joe Pellitteri from Information Technology with a certificate and pin
to commemorate his 10 years of County service.
Behavioral Health Services staff received recognition for their 10 years of
service from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief of Behavioral Health
Operations Mary Hale during the Employee Recognition Awards held on Oct. 25.
Pictured (left to right) are Shirley McDonald, Julia Cotociu and Joseph
Harrison.
Public Health Services staff members (pictured left to right) Felicia Revers,
Claudia Curiel and Ethel Escalante received recognition from Agency Director
Julie Poulson and Family Health Services Division Manager Tony Edmonds for their
10 years of County service.
Finance and Administrative Support staff members Sylvia Udaya and Nancy Ehlers
received recognition from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Chief Information
Officer Teri Schultz for their 10 years of County service.
Carolina Lim from Institutional Health Services received recognition from Agency
Director Julie Poulson and Institutional Health Services Division Manager
Maureen Robles for her 10 years of County service. Pictured along with Carolina
are Mark McDorman and Ha Nguyen-Vazquez.
5 Years
Behavioral Health Services staff (pictured left to right) Onsi Habeeb El-Zayat
and Kristine Mattis-Graves received recognition from Agency Director Julie
Poulson and Chief of Behavioral Health Operations Mary Hale for their 5 years of
County service.
Celebrating 5 years of County service, Ken Kawamura from Institutional Health
Services received a certificate and pin from Agency Director Julie Poulson and
IHS Division Manager Maureen Robles during the Employee Recognition Awards held
on Oct. 25.
Ana Varela and Patricia Cimarusti celebrated 5 years of County service during
the Employee Recognition Awards held on Oct. 25 and received a certificate and
pin from Agency Director Julie Poulson and Family Health Services Division
Manager Tony Edmonds to commemorate the occasion.
Have
you noticed that the size of bagels, candy bars, and soft drinks has grown over
the years? How about portions of restaurant foods like pasta dishes, steaks, and
french-fries? As food portion sizes grow, people tend to eat more than they need
to stay healthy.
Managing weight involves more than just choosing a healthy variety of foods. It
also calls for recognizing and controlling how much and how often you eat. This
can be a difficult task when we live in an environment where portion sizes are
“super sized.” For this reason it is essential to understand the difference
between “portion size” and “serving size.”
Portion Size = Amount of food you choose to eat whether from a restaurant, a
package, or in your own kitchen
Serving Size = A standard amount set by the US government
Take a standard serving out of the package and eat it off a plate instead of eating straight out of a box or bag.
Avoid eating in front of the TV or while busy with other activities.
Eat slowly so your brain can get the message that your stomach is full. Take seconds of vegetables or salads instead of meats or desserts.
Try to eat three sensible meals at regular times throughout the day.
Skipping meals may lead you to eat larger portions at your next meal.
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Handful = 1-2 oz. (Example: 1 oz. nuts = 1 handful or 2 oz. pretzels = 2 handfuls) |
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Fist = 1 cup (Example: Two servings of pasta or oatmeal) |
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Palm = 3 oz. (Example: a cooked serving of meat) |
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Thumb = 1 oz. (Example: piece of cheese) |
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OC celebrates Walk to School Day!
On Oct. 3, thousands of Orange County children celebrated Walk
to School Day. On this day, adults and children walked together with a purpose:
to promote safety, health, physical activity and concern for the environment.
Walking to school on a daily basis is a great way to maintain a healthy weight
and contribute to the recommended one hour or more of moderate and/or vigorous
physical activity per day.
This year, the Orange County Health Care Agency, in partnership with the Orange
County Safe Kids Coalition, The Healthy Eating Active Communities (HEAC)
Initiative, and other organizations, promoted Walk to School Day countywide.
HCA’s Heath Promotion Division provided Walk to School Day Tool Kits to 100
schools throughout the county containing planning materials, stickers, signs,
banners and posters.
By participating in this event, children were not only encouraged to adopt safe
walking skills but were also given the opportunity to assess their route to
school, document problem areas, and identify both immediate and long-term
solutions. The information can then be shared with schools, community leaders,
and the media to build awareness on what the community can do to become more
walkable.
Schools throughout the county coordinated Walk to School Day activities such as
school assemblies, walking school buses, crossing guard recognition, banner and
poster making, class activities on walking, and distribution of rewards for
students who walked. Events were promoted via newsletters, letters to the
parents, press releases and articles in the local papers. A significant number
of schools have reported successful events and will continue to carry on their
Walk to School Day efforts. For example, several schools plan to incorporate the
benefits of walking into lesson plans, promote Walking Wednesdays and organize
walking among adults in the neighborhood. Also, several schools reported plans
to advocate for increased police enforcement, neighborhood clean up, and other
environmental or engineering changes that make the community more walkable.
Learn more about Walk to School Day by contacting Berenis Quiñones at
bquinones@ochca.com or by visiting
www.ochealthinfo.com/public/cdip/w2s/index.htm.
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POD exercise draws 2,700 for flu shots
Soka University in Aliso Viejo and Cypress College played host November 2nd to the Health Care Agency’s annual Points of Distribution (POD) exercise, with many community partners making contributions essential to the event’s success. Approximately 1,400 people received flu shots at the Soka University POD, while 1,300 turned out at Cypress College. Below, a family takes advantage of the opportunity for free flu shots at Soka, while (left) the drive-through at Cypress proved to be convenient for this motorcycle police officer.
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Quote
Passion is in all great searches and is necessary to all creative endeavors.
—W. Eugene Smith
Quote
Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility.
—Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Quote
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
—Milton Berle
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
